bullet was marked by a hole in the wide brim, and two more in the
side and crown.

"He ce'tainly ventilated it proper. I reckon, ma'am, we'll make a
run for it. Lie low on the pinto's neck, with your haid on the
off side. That's right. Let him out."

A mile and a half farther up the road Mac reined in, and made the
Indian peace-sign. Two dejected figures came over the hill and
resolved themselves into punchers of the Lazy D. Each of them
trailed a rifle by his side.

"You're a fine pair of ring-tailed snorters, ain't y'u?" jeered
the foreman. "Got to get gay and go projectin' round on the shoot
after y'u got your orders to stay hitched. Anything to say for
yo'selves?"

If they had it was said very silently.

"Now, Miss Messiter is going to pass it up this time, but from
now on y'u don't go off on any private massacrees while y'u punch
at the Lazy D. Git that? This hyer is the last call for supper in
the dining-cah. If y'u miss it, y'u'll feed at some other
chuckhouse." Suddenly the drawl of his sarcasm vanished. His
voice carried the ring of peremptory command. "Jim, y'u go back
to the ranch with Miss Messiter, AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. Missou,
I need y'u. We're going back. I reckon y'u better hang on to the
stirrup, for we got to travel some. Adios, senorita!"

He was off at a slow lope on the road he had just come, the other