perceive. My host had written he should meet me at the station
and drive me to his ranch. This was all that I knew. He was not
here. The baggage-man had not seen him lately. The ranch was
almost certain to be too far to walk to, to-night. My trunk--I
discovered myself still staring dolefully after the vanished
East-bound; and at the same instant I became aware that the tall
man was looking gravely at me,--as gravely as he had looked at
Uncle Hughey throughout their remarkable conversation.

To see his eye thus fixing me and his thumb still hooked in his
cartridge-belt, certain tales of travellers from these parts
forced themselves disquietingly into my recollection. Now that
Uncle Hughey was gone, was I to take his place and be, for
instance, invited to dance on the platform to the music of shots
nicely aimed?

"I reckon I am looking for you, seh," the tall man now observed.


II. "WHEN YOU CALL ME THAT, SMILE!"

We cannot see ourselves as other see us, or I should know what
appearance I cut at hearing this from the tall man. I said
nothing, feeling uncertain.

"I reckon I am looking for you, seh," he repeated politely.

"I am looking for Judge Henry," I now replied.

He walked toward me, and I saw that in inches he was not a giant.