Next day and every day "Misser Dlake" went gayly about his business, at
his desk or on his horse, vigilant, near and far, with no sign save a
steadier keenness in his eye. For the Christmas dinner he provided still
further sending to the Grande Ronde country for turkeys and other things.
He won the heart of Bolles by lending him a good horse; but the
buccaroos, though they were boisterous over the coming Christmas joy, did
not seem especially grateful. Drake, however, kept his worries to
himself.

"This thing happens anywhere," he said one night in the office to Bolles,
puffing a cigar. "I've seen a troop of cavalry demoralize itself by a
sort of contagion from two or three men."

"I think it was wicked to send you here by yourself," blurted Bolles.

"Poppycock! It's the chance of my life, and I'll jam her through or
bust."

"I think they have decided you are getting turkeys because you are afraid
of them," said Bolles.

"Why, of course! But d' you figure I'm the man to abandon my Christmas
turkey because my motives for eating it are misconstrued?"

Dean Drake smoked for a while; then a knock came at the door. Five
buccaroos entered and stood close, as is the way with the guilty who feel
uncertain.

"We were thinking as maybe you'd let us go over to town," said Half-past