A Man and Some Others

The horseman canted forward. “Good evening,” he said as he again drew rein.

“Good evenin’,” answered Bill, without committing himself by too much courtesy.

For a moment the two men scanned each other in a way that is not ill-mannered on the plains, where one is in danger of meeting horse-thieves or tourists.

Another well-limned tale from Stephen Crane. This one concerns a man who has lived it all and must go it alone versus a band who no longer desire him on his graze.

On one hand a mighty familiar theme, but Crane’s trip West with time spent among real-deal folks coupled with his gifts of verisimilitude give this one a heft than many imitators lack.