Tex""

his shoulder and went to the Mecca, nodding to the proprietor in a spi

t that cayuse," he sai

ou'll find it next to Carney's saloon, across th' street.

but th' railroad's to blame for that. They say they are necessary, an' great blessin's; but I ain't so shore about it. Outside of my personal grudge ag'in' 'em, I'm sore because they've shore pl

. "Yo're right: look at what they've done to this

pick up a few dollars, if he had a good cayuse an' a little nerve. Why, among them hills--but that ain't concernin' us no more, I rec

led the storekeeper, scra

ted Tex innocently

, slowly shaking his head. "The

also because there had been no mail since he had asked the day before; but he grunted pessim

ng into the smelly, cigar-box office, dumped the sack against the wall and nodded to John Graves. "Come down

t his heels. "Here he is, Mr. Jones--as fine a piece of hossflesh as a man ever straddled. Got brains, yout

ed to the gray in a soothing voice. Children, horses, and dogs liked him at firs

ays. Now, there's a roan that strikes me as a hoss I'd consider ownin'. Of course, he ain't as good as th' gray, but he suits me better." He walked over to the magnificent animal, which was far and away superior to the gray, and talk

how. It's a sort of pet of th' boss--he's rid it since it was near old enough to walk. That gray's th' best I've go

his head. "Two hundred's too high for me, friend," he replied. "As I said, I don't like grays, an' that sorrel has shore got a mean eye. It ain't spirit that's showin', but j

s long and to no result. Tex added twenty-five dollars to the hundred he had offered and the whole thing

r with somebody else. Of course, I'm admittin' that th' roan ain't got a sand crack like th' sorrel, or a spavi

on't find no hoss in town like that roan--why, th' color

parlor table for to admire. Comin' right down to cases, any hoss but a gray, that's sound, an' not

e of Gus gettin' peeved, an' let you have th' roan for one-nine

onight," and the sack bobbed toward the door just as a sudden b

the worst of the rough-and-tumble in which the other's superior weight and strength had full opportunity to make itself felt. Suddenly the miner, thrown from his victim by a tremendous effort, leaped to his feet, snarling like a beast, and knicked at the puncher's head. The heavy, hob-nailed boot crashed sickeningly home and as the writhing man went suddenly l

e working with rage, and he sprang forward, both arms circling before him. Tex swiftly gripped one outstretched wrist, turned sharply as he pushed his shoulder under the armpit and suddenly bent forward, facing away from his antagonist. The miner left the ground on the surging heave of the puncher's shoulder, shot up into the air, turne

gray fog. "If you don't know when yo're licked, you better take my word for it,"

ly slipping to one side and forward in two perfectly timed motions, swung a rigid, bent arm as the charging miner went blunderingly past. The bony fist

the man who had retrieved the puncher's gun and, ignoring the crowd altogether, took the weapon from the reluctant fingers which held it and went back to the front of the st

m shore I don't know. I figgered you was a goner. Here

d to a box just inside the door, where he carefully seated himself, drew the Co

in--he's had all he can digest for a

of hours out. I'm keepin' th' gun where it is: th' miner

rapid. Got any good cayuses for sale out at yore place? Our mutual friend, here, w

hat hoss is worth--" he b

x, smiling. "Come to think of it, I ain't goin'

on. Poor on looks, mean as all h--l, with hearts crowded with sand. I'll be leavin'

ss, an' yore looks yo're all right," and he went out, picked up the bulging sack, and passed down the street. Leaving the sac

oss of the depot. "Friend, shake hands w

"Tex Jones, of Montanny

n't belong around here. I'll shake yer hand if ye don't mind. Th' sack wint like an arrow, th' wrestlin' trick couldn't be bate, I never saw a nicer shot, an' th' fi

and the look on the smiling, tanned face, from which twinkled a pair of blue eyes alight with h

r a bully," admitted

e's a brute, all right, savage as th' devil, an' foul in his fi

e that," growled the agent; "a

b held close to his vest. "Here comes th' lass. An'

o," laughed Tex,

?" asked Murphy, his hat in hi

asket. "Jerry, I couldn't get any decent eggs--and they had no milk for me." There was a poorly hidden note of distr

re was slender, and yet full and rounded, promising a wiry strength and great vitality. The sunbonnet she wore hid most o

with caressing playfulness. "I'm getting stronger every day, and food isn't as critical a subject

onscientious care is more than half of the battle.

ty, smiled faintly as she acknowledged the introduction. The man was as impersonal

go farther west?" she asked, but while her

s of the weather this winter, Miss--

uctions. It is Jane Saunders. Then it was only in the nature of a physic

ded what little I had. I thought that perhaps the winters out here might not be as dry a

physician,

the course. What little time I had left from

black heart. I've a little somethin' to show ye all, if ye'll step down th' track a bit. An' Costigan is goin' to get him a cow. Th' missus said th' word, an' divvil

I'm admittin' yo're not overlookin' Number One. Lead on, MacDuff." He caught her quick glance at the a

, fine hosses, an' fair wimmin," retorted Murphy. "I'

ountered Tex. "Grunt, Jerry! Quick, m

d Jane, laughingly. "I'm afraid

" complained Tex. "Tim has an uncanny insti

Murphy. "But I'll own to havin' a previ

ked the doors and flung them wide open as a clamorous cackling broke out in the building. On one end of a hand car was a crate of chickens and leaning ag

Mike Costigan go puttin' on his airs over his boss, so now there'll be aigs for aignoggs that I'll have a claim to. For safe-keepin' we'll build th' coop in yore back yar

it! Why didn't I think of it? And how is it that Mrs. Costigan suddenly needs a cow? If I've heard her aright, she has stalwart, old

hed, sizing up the huge bulk of bone, sinew, and toil-hardened muscle of the section-boss. "Tim, you and your bo

. "If Casey hadn't stopped th' train down by this shed yesterday we couldn't

Jerry. "The brakeman said he was trying his b

nursed for three weeks by a brown-haired angel, an' knowin' that th' same angel nursed Mrs. Costigan an' th' twins whin they was all down with th' meas

he verdict of the court is for the defendant. Case dismissed, without costs of either party agai

right away, an' come back for th' lumber an' wire. That'll give us an early start. T

here an' we'll change th' cargo on this meek steed. Gently, brother, gently pray. Now for th' lumber." He burst into a chant: "I once was a bloody pirate bold, an' I sailed on th' Spanish Main, yo-ho! Th' treasure chests were full of gold, wh

l of lumber, and looked suspici

lang! I can still hear that bell in my sleep. Yo're th' engineer, Murphy; I'll act in an advisory capacity, at th' same time pushing hard on my very own handle. Ladies first! Miss Saunders, if you please! That's right, for you might as well ride in st

led Jane, who thoroughly was enjoying herse

puncher coming toward them. He slyly excha

e and throbbing temples would permit, slid

me down to tell you, friend, that I've learn

' handle an' head west at a plain, unornamental walk. High-heeled boots was never made for pushin'

time I rode, like th' little boat with th' big whistle." He turned to the agent. "Jerry, there's no tellin' how fast this car will b

the wor

ed his horse. "What'll I do when I git to th' end of th' rails?" he asked, mischievous deviltry, unabash

do, Murphy?"

m!" emphatically answ

id Tex. "As Hamlet said:

Many days had passed since she had had so good a time. It was a treat to get away from the ever-lasting "Yes, ma'am" and

said the punc

turned away. "That's all I've heard since I've

ry stray dogs, and Costigan's goats, tethered near the toolshed, promptly went into consultation as to w

he ground roundabout and then looked hopefully at his companions. "Reckon we can m

tle house, but shook his

she feels th' drag of this vehicle in th' sand she'

She won't know it ain't a steer she's fastened

i,'" murmured Jane, prepa

st hand, lady, and jump." He turned and looked at the grinning engineer. "Now, you cactus-eatin' burro, tr

eels are deep an' strong an' I'm shore we can't pull th' rails over. If th' engineer will lend a hand here we mebby can clear th' track without unloadin'. I'll

ashes of your fathers, lift! Try it again--now. Inch her over--that's the way.

d. The car was lifted onto the timbers and the procession went on again. "Will they spread, now?" queried Murphy doubtfully, watching them closely. He had

y more hauls?" as

s stuff over in half th' time. Tempus fidgets, an' I'm catchi

eyebrows pushing wrinkles onto his forehead. "Didn't

at yo're told?" retorted Te

eep regret, and because her presence forbade the only appropriate retort,

le. We might as well get more of that stuff while we have yore good

on a saddle any place," retorted the p

t box av nails, an' them staples. Th' staples are in a little keg--th' one without th' handle. I'

ng. Words were hopelessly inadequate. He looked at Jane, who was shrieking and pointing at the ground under the horse. Thomas craned his neck and looked down. He thereupon dismounted and picked up one Col

y, and when the roof of the coop was finished, the

em windows," said Tex

n nests to build,"

be a coincidence about twelve layin' all at once, but there won't be no thirteenth on th' job. Mebby yer thinkin'

nough, 'though I'd hate to think of 'em milling frantic for their turn on th' nests. An' while we're speakin' of cala

wings, Tommy,"

at lifts 'em on one side an' flops 'em around in a

" said Tex. "Just like when you saw off th' laigs on one

miner," growled Watkins. "I'd 'a'

en; we got a four-sided fence to build, three

th two punchers. Besides we only got one spade for th' three of us. You dig th' north an' south sides while me an' Tex st

Murphy, grabbing the spade and starting to work. Jane Saunders, who had come up un

and his companion were hampered by mirth and were only bui

. "I got me holes dug an' th' posts set. Set 'em

king up. "Run along an' do th' other two wh

ink--" he stopped short, thought a moment, and then slyly glanced out at the unfinished

ur sides," he babbled. "Three to a side: that's a dozen holes to

today; but it don't make no difference, anyhow. Them chickens are as safe in th' tools

ne to th' finish with you boys, but I got to get back to th'

need help about somethin'. I'm cussed glad to know

here's been feelin's between us an' them walkin' fools," here he voiced the riders' contempt for men who walked, "for a long time. Yo're a puncher, an' you shore come out flat an'

n' to own him by tomorrow. He won't cost me a red cent. So far's danger is concerned, I ain't in none that my

hree of 'em, too. There ain't nothin' on th' ranch that can touch any of 'em." He p

Th' dust ain't plain yet, so I can't tell h

member that you got friends on th' C Bar when you need 'em, which you shore as shootin' will. We'll come a-runnin'." He shook hands and went out, Te

relessly, trying a post

ns, holding out his hand. "You can leave th' other four

ily. "Much obliged, Thomas, me son. Come in an' see us when ye can. There's so few de

hat to the woman who appeared in the k

group. "You are not going to leave without your supp

h, and managed to convey the impression that the salvation of the ranch and its outfit depended on h

ur duty: but I shall be a little disappointed if you won't allow me to show my poor appreciatio

e, and he ducked his head quickly. "Yes, ma'am," he blurted eagerly. "I'd admire to stay, but Curtis shore is dependin' on me to g

nd flushed slightly. "He has a

oung," he lied, suspecting, however, that Tommy might have acquired, during the co

s in delight. "Isn't it fine, and new, and piney!" she exclaimed, sniffi

e when they all had entered, a

ilight, without fail, it must be confined securely in this coop. No self-respecting coyote will be restrained for five minutes by the wire--he either will force himself between the strands, or dig under; a

will offer some protection, but their chief value will be to keep the chickens from getting outside. No coyote will be bothered by them for very long, and in order to

get into the coop. I'll wager that you will find tunnels running under it before lo

"They're cunnin' di

putting her hands on the arms of her companions. "Thin

ood, an' not that many for awhile. I'll get

oice. "Everything

nks nothing of making me wait. Come on--you can tell me all about chicken raising after supper." She cast a furtive glance