"I'm extending it right now. Millikan told me to pass the word among
the boys. Everybody and his neighbor invited." Dick lit a cigar, and
gathered up his reins. "So-long, boys. I got to be going." Over his
shoulder he fired another joyous shot as he cantered away. "I reckon
that hostile friend will be there, too, Steve, if that's any
inducement."

Whether it was an inducement is not a matter of record, but certain it
is that the Texan found it easy to decide to go. Everybody in the
valley would be there, and absence on his part would be construed as
weakness, even as a confession of guilt. He had often observed that a
man's friends are strong for him only when he is strong for himself.

Howard and his guest drove to Millikan's Draw, for the wound of the
latter was still too new to stand so long a horseback ride. They
arrived late, and the dance was already in full swing. As they stabled
and fed the team, they could hear the high notes of the fiddles and
the singsong chant of the caller.

"Alemane left. Right han' t'yer pardner, an' gran' right and left.
Ev-v-rybody swing."

The ranch house was a large one, the most pretentious in the valley. A
large hall opened into a living room and a dining room, by means of
large double doors, which had been drawn back, so as to make one room
of them.

As they pushed their way through the crowd of rough young fellows who
clustered round the door, as if afraid their escape might be cut off,