Timber with me two years ago. She wasn't sixteen then, but she herded
them hill steers like they belonged to a milk bunch."

He spoke his compliment patly enough, but somehow the girl had an
impression that he was thinking of something else. She was right, for
as he helped gather the drive his mind was busy with a problem.
Presently he dismounted to tighten a cinch, and made a signal to a
young fellow known as Slim Leroy. The latter was a new and tender
recruit to Jed's band of miscreants. He drew up beside his leader and
examined one of the fore hoofs of his pony.

"Slim, I'm going to have Dillon send you for the mail to-day. When he
tells you, that's the first you know about it. Understand? You'll have
to take the hill cut to Jack Rabbit Run on your way in. At the cabin
back of the aspens, inquire for a man that calls himself Johnson. If
he's there, give him this message: 'This afternoon from Bald Knob.'
Remember! Just those words, and nothing more. If he isn't there,
forget the message. You'll know the man you want because he is shy his
trigger finger and has a ragged scar across his right cheek. Make no
mistake about this, Slim."

"Sure I won't."

Briscoe, having finished cinching, swung to his saddle and rode up to
say good-by to Arlie.

"Hope you'll have no trouble with this bunch. If you push right along
you'd ought to get home by night," he told her.

Arlie agreed carelessly. "I don't expect any trouble with them.