ways into a minutely described stall.

"All right," said Rowdy, cutting short the last needless details. "I guess I
can find the trail;" and started off, leading the stallion. Bandy-legs
followed, and Chub, observing the departure of Dixie, ambled faithfully in
the rear.

"Much obliged," conceded Bandy-legs, when the stallion was safely housed and
tied securely. "Where yuh headed for, young man?"

"Right here," Rowdy told him calmly, loosening Dixie's cinch. "I'm the
long-lost top hand that the Cross L's been watching the sky-line for, lo!
these many moons, a-yearning for the privilege of handing me forty plunks
about twice as fast as I've got 'em coming. Where's the boss?"

"Er--I'm him," confessed Bandy-legs meekly, and circled the two dubiously.
"I guess you've heard uh Eagle Creek Smith--I'm him. The Cross L belongs to
me."

Rowdy let out an explosive, and showed a row of nice teeth. "Well, I ain't
hard to please," he added. "I won't kick on that, I guess. I like your looks
tolerable well, and I'm willing to take yuh on for a boss. If yuh do your
part, I bet we'll get along fine." His tone was banteringly patronizing
"Anyway, I'll try yuh for a spell. You can put my name down as Rowdy
Vaughan, lately canned from the Horseshoe Bar."

"What for?" ventured Bandy-legs--rather, Eagle Creek--still circling Rowdy
dubiously.

"What for was I canned?" repeated Rowdy easily. "Being a modest youth, I