"So?"

"Uhuh. I'd 'a' borrowed a gun off you and set up and watched for 'em
myself."

Bud Shoop made a pretense of tightening a cinch on Sundown's pony, that
he might "blush unseen," as it were.

Presently Corliss appeared and motioned to Shoop. "How's the new cook
doing?" he asked.

"Fine!"

Sundown retired modestly to the off-side of the pony.

"Got a line on him already," said Shoop. "First thing, Chance, here,
took to him. Then, next thing, he manufactures a batch of pies that
ain't been matched on the Concho since she was a ranch. Then, next
thing after that, Chance slips his collar and goes and bushes with the
Bo--sleeps with him till this mornin'. And you can rope me for a
parson if that walkin' wish-bone didn't get to ramblin' in his sleep
last night and come out and take a _bath_ in the _drinkin_'-trough!
He's got on them clothes I give him, this mornin'. Can you copper
that?"

"Bad dream, Bud."

"You wait!" said the grinning foreman. "You watch him. Don't pay no
'tention to me."