Chub back to the cabin which he had pointed out as the bunk-house; he stood
by while Rowdy loosened the pack and dragged it inside.

"I guess you can get located here," he said. "I ain't workin' more'n three
or four men just now, but there's quite a few uh the boys stopping here; the
Cross L's a regular hang-out for cow-punchers. You're a little early for the
season, but I'll see that yuh have something t' do--just t' keep yuh out uh
devilment."

Rowdy's brows unbent; it would seem that Eagle Creek was capable of
"joshing" also. "It's up t' you, old-timer," he retorted. "I'm strong and
willing, and don't shy at anything but pitchforks."

Eagle Creek grinned. "This ain't no blamed cowhospital," he gave as a
parting shot. "All the hay that's shoveled on this ranch needn't hurt
nobody's feelings." With that he shut the door, and left Rowdy to acquaint
himself with his new home.



CHAPTER 4

Pink as "Chappyrone."

Rowdy was sprawled ungracefully upon somebody's bunk--he neither knew nor
cared whose--and he was snoring unmelodiously, and not dreaming a thing; for
when a cow-puncher has nothing in particular to do, he sleeps to atone for
the weary hours when he must be very wide-awake. An avalanche descended upon
his unwarned middle, and checked the rhythmic ebb and flow of sound. He
squawked and came to life clawing viciously.