"No. I was late getting away from the ranch. Expected to make
Antelope, but I guess I'll bush here to-night."

"Well, seein' you're the first boarder at me hotel, I'll pass the
hash." And Sundown stepped into the house and returned with the half
rabbit. "I got some coffee, too. I can cook to beat the band when I
got somethin' to cook. Help yourself, pardner. What's mine is
anybody's that's hungry. I et the other half."

"Don't mind if I do. Thanks. Say, you can cook?"

"Next to writin' po'try it's me long suit."

"Well, I'm no judge of poetry," said Corliss. "This rabbit tastes
pretty good."

"You ain't a cop, be you?" queried Sundown.

"No. Why?"

"Nothin'. I was jest wonderin'."

"You have traveled some, I take it."

"Me? Say! I'm the ramblin' son with the nervous feet. Been round the
world and back again on them same feet, and some freights. Had a pal
onct. He was a college guy. Run on to him on a cattle-boat. He writ
po'try that was the real thing! It's ketchin' and I guess I caught it
from him. He was a good little pal."