had his mother to look after him; but I do the best I can by him. Wish
he had a better show for schoolin', though. I haven't been prosperin'
much--since Sally died. Seems like I sorter lost my grip. But I aim to
put Bobby in school here when it starts up, next fall. I am asking you no
questions about yourself, Pete, because I have done little but ask
questions about you since I first heard you were here, four or five days
ago."

"By hooky, Jack, I never expected to see you again. Where you been all
these years? And how'd you happen to turn up here?"

"Never mind me, Pete. Here is too much talk of my affairs and none of
yours. Man, I have news for your ear! Your pardner's in jail."

"Ya-as? What's he been doin' now?"

"Highway robbery. He got caught with the goods on. Eight or nine
hundred."

"The little old skeesicks! Who'd have thought it of him?" said Pete
tolerantly. Then his face clouded over. "He might have let me in on it!"
he complained. "Jack, you lead me to your grub pile and tell me all about
it. Sounds real interestin'. Where's Bob? He asleep yet?"

"Huh! Asleep?" said Carr with a sniff that expressed fatherly pride in no
small degree.

"Not him! Lit out o' here at break o' day--him and that devil horse of
his, wrangling the work stock. He's a mighty help to me. I ain't very
spry on my pins since--you know."