elf, shot up and over the muddy water, nor did the jump break his stride as he leaped to overtake the rider, who had spurred out of his way. Fadeaway cursed joyously and put his pony to a lope. Str

ged his cayuse to a run, for the puncher had enjoyed the hospitality of his companions of "The Blue," a distant cattle ranch, a day longer than had been set for his return to the Concho. Just then a startled jack rabbit leaped up and bounced down the trail ahead of them. Fadeawa

about as fast as a fence-post!" This to his patient and willing pony, that again swung into a run and

looked up at the rider. The cowboy pointed through the thin rim of timber beyond which a herd of sheep was grazing. "Take 'em!" he whispered. Chanc

p-a shrill bleating, and then silence. Fadeaway loped out into the open. The sheep were running in all directions. He whistled the dog to him. Chan

ing grimly. When the herder was within speaking distance. Fadeaway's hand dropped to his hip and the herder stopped. He gesticulat

rd. "Why, how! Fernando.

ill the lamb!" c

I tried to call him off. Reckon yo

tion. He stepped forward threateningly. Fadeaway's gun was out and a splash of dust leaped

ter-trough washing the dog's muzzle when John Corliss appeared. Fadeaway straightened up. He knew what was coming a

lanced at the dog. Chance turned his head down and s

ur time!" s

right!" retor

han to tackle sheep unless he's put up to it. Y

ed to Shoop who h

chained up! And give Fadeaway hi

d his horse toward the corral, and whist

o the bunk-house where he retailed his visit an

ought to be much obliged to you, Fade. They ain't room for sheep and cat

to the puncher

housand head from New Mex.," continued the

in' fired for it, why, that guy don't work for the Concho. The Blue's good eno

to, then," said Shoop who had just entered. "H

ts through with me he'll be s

ouldn't if I was you. No use showin' your ha

," said Fadeaway, touching

gone; his face flushed. "I been your friend, if I do say it, Fade. But don't

to me? I'm fi

couldn't get out of sight on him tonight. But you can t

the trail," said Fadeaway, fo

But the boss is.

ted Corliss to know that he was not alone unafraid, but willing to be aggressive. He mounted and rode up to the ranch-house. Corliss, who had seen him approach

back his chair, strode to the do

e twisted the circumstance to suit a false inter

and was met by a gaze as steady as his own; an aggressive and insolent gaze that had for its backing sh

the cowboy spoke to his horse. "Co

iced that he took the northern branch, toward Antelope. Then the rancher entered the house, picked up his ha

ng to Loring. He hoped that Eleanor Loring would not be present during the interview with her

come in?"

I'd like to se

use, and, indeed, the premises. She wondered what urg

questioning in her eyes bri

stepped to the verand

orway and stood blinking at

and of your sheep. My foreman tells me that

thing of the kind. "Migh

of it. I apologiz

ay it

say-to you. I'll pay

'll shoot the dam' dog the

was put up to it. I fired the m

ss. But that don't

you'll fix the pr

le man Loring and come foolin' around here like that tramp b

e girl, stepping to

ouse, Nellie! We

an I'd give you the licking of your life! I've offered to settle wit

like that-and he's afraid o

through." And Corliss

d for home, Mr. Concho Jack! And lemme tell you this: they's twenty thousand head of my sheep goin

scheme. I don't want trouble with you, but if

st time you ever talked like a man in your life. Nex' thing is

ather, started forward as though to speak to the rancher. Loring seized

d her arm and she stepped up to Corliss. "I'm

I'd do anything to save y

yth

es

't do anything to help. You ought to look after him. He's your brother.

hundred dollars to blow i

quarrel w

to come home. I k

how you went at it. I w

You can do more wit

ed his arm and pointed toward the road. "You git!" he said. She reac