"First two pairs forward an' back!-they shore is," responded the
prompter.

"Who's th' gent playin' lady to Buck?" Queried Hopalong.

"Forward again an' ladies change!-Billy Jordan."

Hopalong watched the couple until they swung around and then he
laughed silently. "Buck's got too many feet," he seriously remarked to
his friend.

"Swing th' girl yu loves th' best!-he ain't lonesome, look at that-"

Two shots rang out in quick succession and Harris stumbled, wheeled
and pitched forward on his face as Hopalong's sombrero spun across his
body. For a second there was an intense silence, heavy, strained and
sickening. Then a roar broke forth and the crowd of frenzied merry-
makers, headed by Hopalong, poured out into the street and spread out
to search the town. As daylight dawned the searchers began to straggle
back with the same report of failure. Buck and Red met on the street
near the door and each looked questioningly at the other. Each shook
his head and looked around, their fingers toying absentmindedly at
their belts. Finally Buck cleared his throat and remarked casually,

"Mebby he's following `em."

Red nodded and they went over toward their horses. As they were
hesitating which route to take, Billy Jordan came up.

"Mebby yu'd like to see yore pardner-he's out by Buzzard's Spring.