"I guess Happy lost some of his horses, las' night," said Slim at the
breakfast table next morning. Slim had been kept at the ranch to look
after the fences and the ditches, and was doing full justice to the
expert cookery of the Countess.

"What makes yuh think that?" The Old Man poised a bit of tender,
broiled steak upon the end of his fork.

"They's a bunch hangin' around the upper fence, an' Whizzer's among 'em.
I'd know that long-legged snake ten miles away."

The Little Doctor looked up quickly. She had never before heard of a
"long-legged snake"--but then, she had not yet made the acquaintance of
Whizzer.

"Well, maybe you better run 'em into the corral and hold 'em till Shorty
sends some one after 'em," suggested the Old Man.

"I never c'd run 'em in alone, not with Whizzer in the bunch," objected
Slim. "He's the orneriest cayuse in Chouteau County."

"Whizzer'll make a rattlin' good saddle horse some day, when he's broke
gentle," argued the Old Man.

"Huh! I don't envy Chip the job uh breakin' him, though," grunted Slim,
as he went out of the door.

After breakfast the Little Doctor visited Silver and fed him his
customary ration of lump sugar, helped the Countess tidy the house,
and then found herself at a loss for something to do. She stood