suspicion over, since so many feet came and went by this cabin. He told
himself no one could have been there to see him, and slowly returned
inside, with a mind that fell a hair's breadth short of conviction.

The boys, coming up with the horse, met Cutler, who listened to how
Duster had stood still as soon as he had kicked free of his saddle,
making no objection to being caught. They suggested that he would not
have broken loose had he been tied with a rope; and hearing this, Cutler
bit off a piece of tobacco, and told them they were quite right: a horse
should never be tied by his bridle. For a savory moment the scout cuddled
his secret, and turned it over like the tobacco lump under his tongue.
Then he explained, and received serenely the amazement of Loomis and
Kelley.

"When you kids have travelled this Western country awhile you'll keep
your cards locked," said he." He's going to let us win first. You'll see,
he'll play a poor game with the pink deck. Then, if we don't call for
fresh cards, why, he'll call for 'em himself. But, just for the fun of
the thing, if any of us loses steady, why, we'll call. Then, when he gets
hold of his strippers, watch out. When he makes his big play, and is
stretchin' for to rake the counters in, you grab 'em, Joole; for by then
I'll have my gun on him, and if he makes any trouble we'll feed him to
the coyotes. I expect that must have been it, boys," he continued, in a
new tone, as they came within possible ear-shot of the half-breed in the
cabin. "A coyote come around him where he was tied. The fool horse has
seen enough of 'em to git used to 'em, you'd think, but he don't. There;
that'll hold him. I guess he'll have to pull the world along with him if
he starts to run again."

The lamp was placed on the window-shelf, and the four took seats, Cutler