The Girl of the Golden West

The Sidney Duck, the Sheriff of Manzaneta County waited patiently until the returning puppets of his will had had time to compose themselves. It took them merely the briefe

a significant pause and accent-"just f

hands together gleefully at the prospect of winni

too!" concur

e; while Sonora, bubbling over with spirits, hitched up his trousers in sailor

board of a l

inished Trinidad, falli

xpectedly pushed open, inward, and the

his posse," he announce

, hollow-cheeked, muscular Deputy whose beaver overcoat was throw

t's he do

" answered the Deputy

and went on with his shuffling of the car

lite road agent who has bee

nto your county," declar

ora looked

glass, the Minstrel played on his banjo, much to the amusement of the men, who show

was that of a man accustomed to ordering men, but his manner was suave, if a trifle gruff. Moreover, he was a man of whom it could be said, paradoxical

respect which men have for others engaged more or less in the same business and in whom they recognise certain qualities which they have in common. In point of age

Ashby of We

d or two for the men; then, t

are you t

And yo

eeper, Ashby, with easy familiarity,

mptly from the l

me?" inquired Ashby, turn

eturned the m

four glasses before the Sheriff, and leaving him t

The Polka is well?" inquired Ashby

the next breath: "But, say, Mr. Ashby, how

," was Ashby's answer. "Wells Fargo have had m

plimented Sonora, much to t

ared Ashby somewhat boastfully. "But, Rance, I ex

but checked the word on his tongue. Then followed a short silence in

ling as usual, but at the same time jerking his thumb ove

USAND DOL

OAD AGENT

NFOR

TO HIS

) WELLS

g a crew of greasers and Spaniards signifi

a gentleman," remarked Ranc

road!" was Ashby's warning as he empti

ere," shrugged Rance, likewise pu

ied it over to the deserted faro table before

hen The Pony Express goes through!" he called

ng in with a kettle of boiling water and several glasses half-filled with whi

-hot whisky straight

n, the men at the other table. But it w

ly Girl in Camp, the Girl I

t Trinidad. That the little barkeeper was successful in making the former, at least, beli

ce. She makes you l

o his feet, wh

e that!"

you have it?" taunted Sonora,

Nor was Trinidad slow in arriving at the other end of the bar where he caromed against Jake, who had dropped his banjo and was frantically trying to kick the spring of the iron shield in an endeavour to protect himself-a feat which, at last, he succ

excitedly. "Aw, leave your gun

at one another, even Nick appearing a trifle uncomfor

ce, with a forced laugh; and then as he lifte

e G

se snores by this time could be heard throug