Sneed turned and stepped in. "Crazy as a hoot owl," he said as one of
the card-players glanced up.

Cheyenne picked up the dice and listened. He heard Sneed stepping
heavily about the kitchen, and he heard an occasional and vivid
exclamation from one of the card-players. He glanced at the distant edge
of timber. He shook his head. "Can't make it!" he declared, and again he
threw the dice.

One of the cubes rolled off the bench. He stooped and picked it up. As
he straightened, he stared. Just at the edge of the timber he saw Little
Jim's pony, and Little Jim's black hat. Some one in the cabin pushed
back a chair. Evidently the card game was finished.

Then Cheyenne heard Sneed's voice: "Just lay off that game, if you want
to eat. Come and get it."

Wondering what Little Jim was up to, Cheyenne turned and walked into the
cabin. "Guess I'll wash up, first," he said, gazing about as though
looking for the wherewithal to wash. He knew well enough where the basin
was. He had noticed it out by the kitchen door, when he rode up to the
cabin. Sneed told him where to find the basin. Cheyenne stepped round
the cabin. Covertly he glanced toward the edge of the timber. Little Jim
had disappeared.

Entering the cabin briskly, Cheyenne took his place at the table and ate
heartily.

Lawson, who seemed to be Sneed's right-hand man, was the first to speak
to him. "Bill tells me you are huntin' hosses."