Midnight
he thought , taking off the saddle . Aloud he said : `` One of Zurich 's ranches , is n't it ? I saw ZK burned on the gateposts . '' He passed his hand along Midnight 's sweaty back for possible bruise or scald ; he unfolded the Navajo saddle blanket and spread it over the saddle to dry . He took the _ sudaderos _ -- the jute sweatcloths under the Navajo -- and draped them over a huge near-by boulder in the sun , carefully smoothing them out to prevent wrinkles ; to all appearance without any other care on earth . `` Yes ; horse camp , '' said the tall man . `` Now you water the black horse and I 'll dig up a bait of corn for him .