happen to have a hunk of deer meat? Game powerful scarce comin' up
this valley."

"Lots of deer an' elk higher up. I chased a bunch of more'n thirty, I
reckon, right out of my pasture this mornin'."

Blair crossed to an open shed near by and returned with half a deer
haunch, which he tied upon Wade's pack-horse.

"My ole woman's ailin'. Do you happen to hev some terbaccer?

"I sure do--both smokin' an' chewin', an' I can spare more chewin'. A
little goes a long ways with me."

"Wal, gimme some of both, most chewin'," replied Blair, with evident
satisfaction.

"You acquainted with Belllounds?" asked Wade, as he handed over the
tobacco.

"Wal, yes, everybody knows Bill. You'd never find a whiter boss in these
hills."

"Has he any family?"

"Now, I can't say as to thet," replied Blair. "I heerd he lost a wife
years ago. Mebbe he married ag'in. But Bill's gittin' along."

"Good day to you, Blair," said Wade, and took up his bridle.