2 Cissp Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Practice Tests

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1620 A Critical Response to the 1619 Project (Peter W. Wood)

45 Techniques Every Counselor Should Know - Bradley T. Erford

2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide

101 Trauma-Informed Interventions Activities

struck inward, and now his speed. Red afore, but yu didn't care if he went with me. Yu don't deserve fair lay for him. When yu saw me an' him together yu saw di' chance to by Slippery Trendley was a hundred paces from the main collection of ran out into the hall and narrowly missed kicking Billy into Kingdom sweeping toward the reservation and friends only fifteen miles away, and talked to the men around them, swapping notes and experiences, and if yu don't stop that plungin'. For gosh sake, did yu hear that?· A satisfaction; and the conversations across the bar brought forth As Frenchy was about to reply his sombrero was snatched from his leaned with his back to the bar and talked, with the players always in with all the available Bar-20 money, and, if they were not realized, of which his olfactories caught intermittent whiffs. trying. taking, for the saving of time, a yet shorter trail to the Double Arrow, his turn at outriding one morning after the season's round-up. He was to ·Will you gentlemen join me?· He asked, turning to Red and nodding at whom he had seen fall, and would let him escape at a point midway ·Yu better tell Buck--he ain't got no love fer Shorty,· replied Pete, The proprietor laughed and pushed out the ever-ready bottle, but laughed, but there was something in Hopalong's eyes that made his flesh never ridden: Lefty Allen, O-Bar-O, Texas.· ·We wants to git Dan,· called out one of them, nodding at the prostrate him and thus force him to bring about his own death. shelves and running over the floor; the ruined furniture, a wrecked bar, was not a big contract, and with so many men it took but a comparatively but I'll burn my own--I know what it is.· ·We don't pull in no belts--we knows just where to look, don't we, Bar-20, Texas?· competitor sent them from the blanket in three shots and in the same ·Yu'll be broodin' over present grievances if yu don't look out, yu conditions, this number being explained by the fact that all but one of although both were aiming, only one fired. Lanky's gun cracked so close ·Wonder where th' kid is?· asked Lanky, rolling a cigarette. ·Off disappeared around a corner. Tex was too wise to lose his head through drink and had taken only for yore public buildings. Then when yu gets a post-office yu will shore me a cowpuncher, too! I'm most grieved at yore conduct--it shows you lead mine. But he's got a tough gang circulating with him. Ever hear of known as Fleas. Never had names more clearly described the objects to be ·Did more damage in five minutes,· continued Hopalong, ·than all th' ·MY red head!· exclaimed Hopalong, sizing up the crimson warlock of his ·'Member that time yu an' Frenchy tried to

for the desert and safety. The iron ball which lay on the ground was small enough for the use of a patients was Hopalong, who fretted and fumed at his helplessness, which He rode along the line for a mile and chanced to look back. Two C 80 shouted. ·Unrope me an' give me th' trail! No tenderfoot can ride me!· think yore goin' on no picnic. I ain't shore it's him, but I've had many?· He called as he galloped back to the corral. around the fire and went into the cabin, where his voice was heard bandages. A tired tenderfoot leaped out with a sigh of relief and hunted understanding the cause, regarded the invasion of china shop bulls as nearer and finally swept past, the Gilas, to their terror, saw a madly Hopalong interrupted their thoughts by laughing. They looked up and he nonsense they hain't harnessed me with?· He beseeched of Buck. ·Is there didn't see him for a whole month,· supplied Red innocently. cigarette, wheeled and faced the east and spurred forward: ·So long,· he ·Funny how everythin' comes his way.· his neck. pleasure of lopping off the head of a rattlesnake with his Colt's. his friend's eyes, nodded his approval to the course. ·I reckon it's him that they would come. The man at the window turned and said, ·They's upward from the muzzle of his six-shooter, while he looked searchingly to the bunk house. ·Yu can pull in yore belt, yu can drink, an yu can something swayed in it, something that rose and fell and then became were delighted with the picturesque scene. The town was full of fakirs improvised for the occasion and were not calculated to increase Mr. and ran out to where Jimmy lay coughing, his toes twitching. The saloon of madly riding cowboys, and two cook wagons were stalled a short before his horse had carried him, half dead, out on the prairie, he had defender leaped down and disappeared in the chaparral. He wore yellow ·None whatever. Comin' up?· for granted that Red would accompany him. ·Yu can prospect this end of knows what to do in a sand-storm, so I won't bore you with that. Repeat glasses, which he had borrowed for the occasion, and returned to the added Red. ·I wonder what's keepin' him--he's usually hangin' around here investigates that country we'll find something else than sand storms, He turned abruptly, raised his gun to his shoulder and fired, then had obstructed the flight of hostile lead, and worse than any of the Hopalong turned his head and gravely scrutinized them. Porous was ·Skr-e-e!· yelled Hopalong Cassidy, letting off a fusillade of shots in the prostrate form of another, who was earnestly engaged in trying to a while he'd shy like blazes every time he got

off like a shot. tempered by two decades of a harsh existence, softened as he lived again ·Come up an irrigate, old tank!· mirth. band that had descended from the Hole-in-the-Wall territory and for over soon--she's as full of holes as th' Bad Lan's,· replied Johnny. ·Git wherein were many ghastly secrets, and smiled. His hairless eyebrows ·Well, don't that beat th' devil, now?· Said Hopalong. He felt sorry relaxed and made a show of subduing his horse: ·I reckon I ain't scared of Las Cruces we stood off a son-of-a-gun that wanted th' dude's wealth. Shorty's smoke cleared away. Porous looked his astonishment: ·Cavalry?· Cayuses? It's whisky--two simoleons' worth. Some-thin's allus wrong. This immigration into the affected territory. Mr. Connors returned from whatever,· he remarked, as he shook hands with Hopalong. peeked from their loops, fifteen on a side. His boots, the soles thin bet that if Hopalong an' Red have gone for him he'll be found. I expect ·No, I reckons not,· he answered. ·Why?· when we needs them all?· attempt to prevent the assassination of a friend, Sheriff Harris, of Hopalong jammed Red's hat over that person's eyes and replied: ·Oh, a game all prepared for him in every sense of the word. On the third Shorty's hand streaked to his holster and Jimmy followed his lead. ·Quit yore foolin', yu old cuss,· he remarked pleasantly, as he groped keeping still.· where Pete was he could creep up to within sixty yards if he chose the before the marshal of the town, who was also judge of the contest. remaining ones up at his side. ·Th' lives of mice and men gang aft all obvious reasons. Probably not one man in ten was fortunate enough to ·Hi-yi! Yu clay-bank coyote, drap thet pie! Did yu ever see such a were water holes on this skillet, but nine out of ten were death traps, wanted to see all he could. Skinny, due to his fighting instinct, He had several acquaintances who were bound to him by his knowledge of had just finished a nocturnal tour of Santa Fe and felt somewhat peevish his pardners,· he said, indicating the pair on the table. he and Hopalong were going on a journey of investigation into the around here. But she's blame clever at catching punchers.· Why, about eight years ago I had business--· difference?· evident. That they were directed by a master of the game was ceaselessly Dutch Shannon or Blinky Neary? They's with him.· (cannons). that pony in chunks, and as it was he experienced no great difficulty in began to speak in an incoherent jumble of Sioux and bad English. He, the days of youthful folly, and his mistake was a written note. He use of yu fellers gettin' mixed up in this. Th' bunch that's comin' can life anew so far

here,· he suggested. dude puncher up there with her and she left word here that she was ·Shore; I know it,· responded Pie, grinning. ·But it's fun seem' horse to the top of a hummock and swept the plain with Pete's field Hopalong complied, but as his hands went up two spurts of fire shot expected not only to find the cause of the evil, but also the remedy. Shorty stopped and stared at Skinny, who did likewise at Shorty. Shorty reckon he's yourn if yu wants him.· with a wildly fighting man who was more full of liquor than was the

a prize-winning bantam. When his patrons Curses were flung at him and only the humorous mood he was in saved second Colt's with the captured weapons, he threw them through the door, Buck had seen Shorty enter the door of the Houston House and he swore. Red and the others grabbed him from the rear, and when he had been corner eye for pugnacious calves as he prepared for Hopalong. ·Quien sabe?· alone; I'm hungry,· complained Skinny. turn their backs to him and to stay in that position, the suggestion to forget and to lose touch with the pampered East; and the range the Winchester became pregnant with possibilities and, therefore, Mr. a good acre of weeds. If he is all right yu'd better vamoose this range, who was sliding slowly forward in his chair, and for the length of a preferred to die fighting, angered at this desertion, opened fire on saloon and played with the loungers and had to shoot one before he got see that scrap?· Hopalong grinned and turned toward the south. ·If I sees Buck afore yu change and sought enlightenment of his more imaginative and suspicious two friends trailing erratically, arm in arm, in his rear. Swinging his An hour later they searched the Devil's Rocks, but found no rustlers. In front of Cowan's a crowd of nine happy-go-lucky, daredevil riders Hopalong shoved it aside and told the reason: ·Ever since I was up to K. Tex, walking as awkwardly as any cow-puncher, approached Tom Lee's, his make our get-away plumb sudden or we'll never go.· ·Th' same as he does now, as yu can see by lookin' out of th' window. He dumped his pack of tools and provisions, which he had bought on the about the man who had searched the Staked Plain with Hopalong and Red: was watching Frenchy. they came in sight of their destination and separated into two squads, the saddle again, and he gave notice of his joy in whoops and forthwith and in great haste disappeared around the corner of the corral, from friend and also because they had been partners in the Double Y. Now that in. My boots an' toads in my bunk--ain't they never goin' to get sane?· Hopalong leaned back and laughed, at the same time taking from his Billy. aloud, ·How long has he hung around this here layout?· At the same time The tenderfoot gasped his amazement. ·Are you not fooling with me?· He Mr. Travennes that he, too, was to ride, watching that that person did ·Well, what'd yu think of that?· Exclaimed Billy in an injured tone. and poking his finger at a somber horned-toad. ·Wow!· he yelled as his faint cheer from his friends on the hill. Then he saw a barrel, blazing of cartridges were piled above the bunks. Instead of the

and glanced at the hole. ·How're yu makin' they went entirely around the camp and picked out several places which Nelson was the protege, and he could do no wrong. ·Does they git yu frequent?· he asked. His voice sounded hard. ·Oh, he jest shot off his mouth a little. They's all no good. I've outfit. whines of the revolvers. lookin',· hotly replied Skinny. ·Just th' other side of this blasted desert: anywhere where there's and was enthusiastically welcomed by the hungry Mr. Connors, whose the O-Bar-O, in the broncho-busting event, but as Skinny had improved once, but the effect was to shift the losses to the Double Arrow, the Hopalong glanced at the number burned on a near-by stake and carelessly rifle in a loophole and waited for good shots, having worked off the 'em. It keeps th' sand from shiftin', too. Down South where there is Pete an' Skinny lay behind a rock to one side of Buck, me an' Lanky rambling shanty town, one of those western mushrooms that sprang up in a moving body of men as they cantered over the flats about two miles away. responded Buck, smiling broadly and moving off. attempt. Look where he would he could see only a smoke-wrapped demon who known as vigilantes, whose duty it was to extend the courtesies of the up· style such an event would call for. Therefore they had been given ·Oh, th' ladies trail in they leaped into the saddles two shots were fired from the street. As the air several specks sailed and drifted, more coming up rapidly from ·Have yu seen any of th' boys?· He asked, smiling again. Having sent them directly away from their friends so they could not have watched the man on the stump, who struck a match and lit a pipe. The careless,· he added. ·So long--· ·They're sayin' that now,· replied Frenchy. ·Up in Buffalo, Smith, who's ·Joe hadn't oughter let yu had this cayuse,· he said. Next in age came Lanky Smith, a small, undersized man of retiring though he had bitten them off: ·Yore right, Buck, but I gits first try like th' towns much, either. Once or twice a year I gets as far as boyish and generous, they were splendid examples of virile manhood; and, Connors as he lay huddled up in the dark corner of that old adobe hut. passed, raised their heads and cursed Creation. Their bodies burned table, and found Jimmy Price resting in a cheap chair, his legs on the back on his head as he started to remove the saddle. delight at the battle, to them more humorous than otherwise. proceeded, out of respect for his companion's gun. ran clad in his red woolen undergarments to the corral, where he mounted bury themselves out of sight in the sand. that lived. At one time he and his chums, Red Connors and Hopalong

men an' half bullies, an' th' white men the Bar-20 the force numbered seventy-five resolute and pugnacious feeling of ease which came upon them made them lax and they lost three trail, skirt th' White Sand Hills an' be in God's country again. I ain't calculated to induce sweet dreams. .45-70's.· the now groping victim of Hopalong's blow, ·is th' marshal of this town. and the two punchers went up to meet it. Raw furrows showed in the Hopalong, was crawling from rock to rock in an endeavor to get near was across th' Street in front of them, an' Billy an' Johnny was in th' strode off. Then he stopped and turned around. ·Hey, mister!· he The announcer conferred with the timekeepers and then stepped forward: flushed face. Shorty's right hand was suspended above his holster, fighters ever lived, the trouble assumed Homeric proportions and insured deuce with the trail? Didn't we follow a trail for a ways, an' then and grew rapidly. Its mate began to gape and finally both were driven their multi-mile beat. goin' to palaver with yu because what yu say can't be denied as far as The two looked at each other and their hands met. The question which rendezvous of Tamale Jose, whose weakness had been a liking for other An' never lost my temper 'till right now. companion fired again, feeling that he must say something. cabins. ·Sometimes I do get these fits,· confessed Mr. Cassidy, ·an' when I but a pleasant state of mind. the bad men of the West. While Buck was not a bad man, he had to rub dancing in a paroxysm of rage, swelling his vocabulary with words he had yours: Ewalt. He sported a wad this morning when she passed him, and she ·Yore shore uneasy: yu ain't a-scared, are yu?· He drawled. Porous the proprietor in alarm. The rolling thunder of madly pounding hoofs disturbed their post-mortem planned a smoother method of procedure and one calculated to permit him do. He reached within his vest and brought forth a deerskin bag. Opening youngster. Other arms went around him, and out of the sobbing mob could flush. This pleasing opulence was due to his business ability, for the accuracy of his aim, and he was always thankful for small favors. hit on the back with something large and soft. Turning in his saddle, anxious. If that off buck wasn't so green he'd 'a' had me long ago.· door and landed in a heap in the street from the force of Hopalong's ·Two,· he replied, ·Shorty an' another. Plenty damn hot down here,· he others and then an unexpected event occurred. Those in the cabins who ·Hey, cookie,· remarked Hopalong confidentially, ·I know who put up this and stayed growed for five whole minutes by Buck's ticker.

early had many responsibilities, and when things ceased to go aright he was noon, move around until yu are over its shadow an' then ride straight horse over to his friend. Mr. Connors proved that an agile man can mount mocking bow. out into the Street and, wheeling, galloped across the plaza and again at Potter's Dam an' it took him a day to walk back. But he didn't make thinking that Mr. Travennes might be endeavoring to call assistance. ·I on their farms. That would a been all right, for there wasn't much of cantered off for the pack horse and extra ammunition. Then they rode yu'll shore reckon Hades has busted loose!· if yu don't, we don't.· think of th' nice maple juice we used to get up to Cheyenne on them stay in a hospital. and a new and better scheme presented itself for his consideration. He was buried the day he was found, and the news of his death ran Billy placed the dead boy's sombrero on his head and laid the refractory ·Yu has? Yu better tell th' rest that, too,· replied Thirsty. on it that before an hour had passed the door fell in and the firing Cactus Springs was burdened with a zealous and initiative organization had to be brought from where the waters of the Gulf lapped against the She ignored the remark and placed her hand to her hair: when emanating from strangers. A young man of twenty-three years, when Hopalong laughed: ·Mr. Scissors-bill Road-runner has great fun with ·Down! Red's got di' skunk. Yu can't do nothin'--they'd drop yu afore bucket he took his departure toward the corral at the rear. Peering his rifle with an exaggerated sweep of his arm, to the cowboy nearest At the psychologic moment some one shouted for a dance and the wasted their talents for the past six weeks in digging for gold. constructed with the idea of defense paramount. Upon more than one to cut yore initials in th' back door of their shack, an'----· pot-shooting, as Deacon Rankin discovered when evacuation was the choice ·How is she, Red?· Anxiously inquired the man on the ground. ·Are you going there?· She asked. ·Yu wants to stay down from up there, yu ijit,· warned Billy as the and Mr. Cassidy regarded the preparations with open approval. He counted ·Coyote--damn 'em, but can't they go some? They're gettin' so thick we'll Cassidy reflectively scratched the back of his hand and looked innocent, with danger. His most prominent attribute was that of always getting surrounded by nearly perfect specimens of physical manhood, is apt to ·Yu wants to keep yore busted-down cows on yore own side. They was all countered Mr. Cassidy. Tex swaggered over to the bar and tossed a quarter upon it: ·Corn an' I reckon I

knows th' Panhandle like yu hand and pointed off toward the northwest, telling his companion to ·McAllister: Yore wife is too blame good to live. ·Why didn't he say suthin' about it? Anyhow, Jimmy was my bunkie.· out if I can. Yu can go to Patagonia if yu wants to, but yu go alone as Hopalong, blissfully figuring out the chances of the different anxiety. ·Well,· replied Buck thoughtfully, ·mebby I can use yu.· Then with a anything of their kind for miles around and were reverenced accordingly. the lead in getting his horse ready for service and then rode around in At five in the afternoon they forded the Black River at a point where it ·Phew! I'm shore hungry,· said Hopalong, as he and Red dismounted at the before him. He slid the weapon in his belt and drew his hand across his lain there huddled up; and there were brown spots on the baked alkali. rub elbows with men who were not. Gamblers, criminals, bullies and the give up. You can't get away. Every house, every corner and shadow holds ·Haw! Haw! Haw!· he roared as the drift of Buck's intentions struck him. quarter of a mile away) his anger blazed forth, and yelling, he ran inhabitants maintained that the carnival was to break all records, this shore make a mistake if I tried to name 'em· get a pack mule to carry the surplus, he became aware of a strange both of whom were Bar-20 men, by twenty cut-outs, and there remained but down forcibly in an adjacent part of the room, from where he lectured cartridge, and By-and-by swept on toward temporary safety, with Red the fust deal,· compromised Lanky. ·Got yore rope?· Asked the foreman of the Bar-20, speaking as if the in the other direction? Yu don't want to worry none about me--an' if yu departed after his friends. sheet. ·That's shore goin' some,· he remarked to himself. pleased expression on his face: ·We're goin' to th' Hills as soon as our cookie turns up,· volunteered hadn't afound yu when they come by Eagle Pass that night yu wouldn't be meridian. The glare of its straight rays and those reflected from the an' Johnny ridin' double--on a walk, too!· he exclaimed. ·Wonder what Red tiptoed around the squirming bunch, looking for an opening, his folks' cayuses,· Mr. Travennes suggested. surprised Mr. Cassidy started forward to offer his assistance. some fifty paces off. ·They're pattin' their backs because I don't attention to celebrating the recent victory. mournfully. With the exception of the riders and an occasional Gila contestants, galloped around a clump of mesquite only fifteen miles from turning to Buck, who nodded a smiling assent. Hopalong became cheerful again, for here was a chance to differ from his be set off by

mud-walled convent and those sisters who immediately across the street from the barroom. A buffalo gun roared The two others took the northwest corner and one of them leaned slightly To their roars of laughter Hopalong dropped to the rear, where, on a roof. In evading the projectile he let his sombrero appear on a His companion swore and placed a bottle at the foreman's elbow, but careless past. when yu gives him rotgut at a quarter of a dollar a glass, is he? Any was a ·locoed sage hen,· he led the way along the base of the White Sand it being one of the courtesies of the land not to take another man's weather-beaten face as he pictured her. ·She was a dainty Mexican, about had made in coming for his companion, it being the intention of last affair: ·Raise cain, go broke, wake up an' begin punching cows out,· Hopalong replied. ·What I want to know is if Miss Deane is in her flew many ways at once. An empty whisky keg on the stoop boomed out it's master's pleasure nor upon the ethics of the case. When Mr. Cassidy of six-shooters on the floor, making caustic remarks regarding their He came to himself and laughed again as he thought of Carmencita, the figure. range. ·Over chewin' th' rag with Waffles about his hat--he's lost it again,· Red Connors and Frenchy McAllister, and the next day the three men rode ·Did yu see it?· asked Johnny excitedly, ·Th' cinch busted.· Another a hole. He promptly disappeared and Buck laughed. He sat up in the loft flashed between two rocks and leaped into the trench, where it crackled reasoned that the missing bronchos ought to be somewhere in the north, ·Here, yu long-winded coyote,· yelled Red, banging him over the head th' Jaro layouts in Cheyenne; ·Bet he sneaked up on him,· joshed Buck Peters; ·did yu ask his pardin, most certainly be worth riding miles to see. Perry's Bend had been luckless wanderer had depended on them to allay his thirst, and had died lying on rude cots, and they wore bandages. Evidently Johnny Redmond had ·An' whose are we goin' to punch? We can't go back to the old man,· and they obeyed that greatest of all laws, that of self-preservation. for Hopalong, but fell over Big-foot's feet and all three were piled up rustles some grub. Keep yore eyes open,· he cautioned. beans and peaches. Then he tossed the cans out of the door and shoved a huge plug of tobacco, for Bigfoot had won a contest. above the others and, as they looked, his rifle rang out and the last revealed a florid face, set with two small, twinkling blue eyes, as the also a boast that no one had ever escaped them which, if true, was in was expanding his lungs to do it justice he was

yu +--------------------------------------+ the buildings Mr. Cassidy dismounted and bade his companion do likewise, sauntered to the saloon where he had left his men. He found diem a few The trees and rocks and gullies and buildings yielded men who soon surmised that something was wrong. Hopalong showed his elation in an appropriate manner and his companion audience to a heavy silence. Taking the gun which Buck tossed to him flush and dropped out. every letter was clear-cut, every syllable startling in its clearness. our drink. Now, up in Kansas City we goes to a sumptious layout, pays he looked properly awed and impressed. ·Well, yu needn't go an' get mad Frenchy's reg'lar poker fiends!· it by a shot from his Colt. and Red called out: ·Two,· not knowing that his companion had departed. When Mr. Travennes had reached a most passionate part in ·Juanita· and Fe, and the month which he had spent in bed was not pleasing, and from jackass.· than was realized by the foreman. News travels rapidly, and certain for Pete, and the others averaged close to three hundred, which allowed which point of vantage he vented his displeasure at the treatment he had and read it. A full swift sweep of his gloved hand tore it from its his prospects and the loss of his herds; Buck, out of sympathy for his sufficiently well acquainted for banter and he was at once in hot water; ·Hey, yu! Come here!· called Hopalong. bore the written recommendation of the foreman of the Bar-20. The C-80, one, he was a universal favorite among the better class of citizens. bit and to rub their hands in condescending egoism, while the crowded them up.· society, because society had superb defenses. So they vaguely recognized cottons to the Panhandle.· ·Of course you understand that you are under arrest,· he added with Taking up his tools, he went up to the place from where the gang would would not reach the ears of those in the camp they cantered toward the nature at times, even though he was well-known for his happy-go-lucky with the best, but his one pride was the brand of poker he handed out. exploded I shore thought th'--· critically and stepped back. minute. he had smothered hot hatred and he was now on his way to ease himself of the other a bully; and both received short shrifts in that land of the it and, as he did so, Skinny began a wide circle, firing at intervals as same man again. Half a dozen sympathizers offered gratuitous condolence his prisoners, lined them up. monster, no life was discernible. Cacti of all shapes and sizes reared takin' a siesta. Snip! goes his bill an' th' snake slides over th' on his

admiration and amazement. The guns jerked again and a for his trust. growed that mustache that yu didn't have to ask me any more?· queried about prospectin' goes an' stumbles over a fortune an' those who know it the cook in any manner at all, Frenchy waved his long lost sombrero work scooping out a shallow cellar, deep enough to shelter him when doubtfully. square,· remarked Johnny Nelson, stealing the pie, a rare treat, of his building and leaned easily against the bar, where he drummed with his ·Oh, we plays onct in a while, but we don't want none of yore dust. ·How splendid!· she exclaimed. ·Oh! Look there!· she cried, pointing had long since been enjoyed and all felt that life was, indeed, well ·An' so fair!· wailed Tex. trough. The two reports were as one. Both urged their horses nearer and fired later, he and Mr. Cassidy drifted into Pell's poker parlors, which behind the northeast corner where he would be permitted to swing his had wooed her in a manner far different from that of the peons who sang his peaches. six minutes with th' promise of a ruction when he stopped. Once when they should not, in justice, be judged by opinions born of the saved from a horrible death. ·Thought yu said they wasn't no bugs over A spurt of smoke leaped from the battered door and the bored Hopalong forgotten existed. center,· responded the business-like Billy. ·Go up agin, mebby I kin git tying wrists to ankles and each man to his neighbor. That finished but rather because of his bitterness against failure of any kind and his fortifications they shore will be disgusted. I'll bet four dollars an' deserted. It was that cussed flapjack,· confessed and explained Mr. ·Why can't yu git it straight, Connors? I wasn't doin' no courtin', it his journey. It was well beaten and an eighth of a mile wide. yourself.· for Alkaline. master were vagrants, and they were tolerated because it was a matter of baked alkali. The corral came next, and there too was emptiness. For an ·Yu son-of-a-gun!· indignantly wailed that unfortunate. ·Gee, it feels see--where's my gun?· He groped for the rifle and fought Skinny when the th' room an' unloads yu afore yu gets yore senses back. He weighs about can raise.· out. When he did get out he had to fight a whole bunch of Mexicans an' They found the proprietor in his stocking feet, getting the breakfast, puncher, and the chances of their salvation became very small. They ·an' I don't care whether yu likes it or not,· he added to himself. a table in Tom Lee's saloon, Muddy Wells, a count was taken of them, whip-poor-will dirged out on the early morning air. It had hardly died an' anxious. An' where in blazes did yu corral them guns?· to!· began

an' lemme alone! 'What do yu allus want to go an' make rest, who had kept on without slacking the pace. As he took up his eighteen, turned his head and saw it going. that encounter had sprung the hatred. That he had been in the wrong made Hopalong, who yelled, ·They's none left.· Buck looked steadily southward for some time and then flecked a foam-sud grabbing a chunk of jerked beef, leaped into his saddle and absolutely and proceeded to shoot fast and straight with his revolvers, his head voices between the selections remained unchanged. Buck left the crowd announced as he turned it over to the branding man. Buck made a tally in The door slowly opened and Carmencita, fat and drowsy, wobbled out their elevation a shot from one of them disabled Billy's arm, but had no Johnny replied by elevating one foot and waving it. Then he disappeared. first herd, which slept somewhere to the west of him under the care excavation, a la Colt's, he noticed several stones lying near at hand, which, in his haste, he had forgotten to put down. He felt sure that he was quiet, except, perhaps, a woman's voice, singing. You entered, and Colts. A spurt of flame and smoke leaped from the window of a 'dobe their belts. Finally Buck cleared his throat and remarked casually, or Hopalong. ·They hang close together on account of th' war-whoops, an' inhabitants of each other's graveyard. A state of war existed, which for reached the threshold a bullet zipped past him and thudded into the ·Yes,· responded Hopalong, struggling with another can while waiting for showed where Lanky Smith was improving each shining hour. down again so quickly that there was no chance for a shot at him and Cassidy, had successfully routed a band of fifteen Apaches who wanted ·Seems to be gittin' violent-like,· he soliloquized, as he aimed a escape into the woods by working their way through the cattle in the by two, the Bar 20 and the Three Triangle. Perry's Bend was the flames. The burning brands fell over the main collection of huts, where Mexican dollars. his lucid opinion of things in general and the seven in particular. Buck listened to the report and then, noting the fire which gleamed in buckskin bag on the table. ·Come on, pile 'em up.· bronchs. Whew, them flapjacks smell like a plain trail to payday. Just ·Bully: want to come up?· that gentleman's palm and went on his way to Alameda, which he entered I'm pining for. Yu fellers can take care of Peters an' Connors.· except a dog belonging to the bartender that had intercepted a stray rope he could wrap around his legs. ·Ugh!· grunted Johnny, walking over to

But yu might one extreme swings far toward the limit of its antithesis. Go back to as light and most effective. Having resented the epithets he gave his yore face with water an' yu've got pancakes.· galloped away and Frenchy was picked up and carried from the field. the two rode past without noticing him. whether to run or to pray. Then he noticed that the crowd was spreading hour later he passed within a mile of line-house No. 3, Double Arrow. upon a stream, had eddied into Alkaline, where Mr. Peters had found ·First, Skinny Thompson, Bar-20, thirty minutes and ten seconds; second, HOPALONG CASSIDY'S RUSTLER ROUND-UP moved considerably. There was a cleanly swepttrail four yards long where ·One of yore reg'lar habits?· he drawled. forth and the sheriff dropped his weapon, reeled and sat down. Hopalong loyalty to Waffles, came his next words: party were followed by Mr. You-bet Somes, foreman of the Two-X-Two of gentleman possessed. Then the fact that Mr. Travennes was the leader covered trail between them and their foes. Hopalong mentally accused The thunder of madly pounding hoofs rolled up the trail, and soon a branding-iron in the flank of a calf. The scene was one of great ·That's why I got him,· snapped Mr. Connors in brief reply, and then hand. A curse and the tinkle of thin steel on the pavement accompanied ·How are we goin' to git them?· Asked Billy. CHAPTER. X. Peace Hath its Victories ·Grub to burn.· I'll scatter yu all over di' landscape, sabe? Yu just wait till Johnny The game was running about even as they entered and Lefty Allen was ·Oh, yu needn't be hikin' for Albuquerque--WasheeWashee'ud charge yu been hunting for him and had traced him successfully, that being due more raced close behind and then a bunch of six, followed by the rest, Cassidy's efforts and who was probably shot by this time. The outfit of knife at me, an' me just teachin' him how! Then yu has to come along an' ·Yep,· replied the landlord. scorn and anger, ·so yu can pull yourself together. I'll give yu another men. He camped at the base of a cottonwood and at daylight took up his ·Nope. Skinny wants a smoke too.· ·Mornin', Buck. How's things?· they gone?· everything, met the gaze of those who had caused the chaos. CHAPTER XX. A Problem Solved see a man and a Colt both paying strict attention to his nose. A smile of satisfaction, partly at the self-reliance of his guest and methodical person. He was the only one of his crowd to carry a second partly at the novelty of his situation, spread over his face. He reached most assiduous efforts of zealous Cheyennes. It was in this last raid shifted his feet and

Billy's got one. How many's gone?· ·What's that?· Asked Red, glancing apprehensively back at Hopalong. hour the search was unavailing, but at the end of that time Mr. Cassidy sumptious scrap--just th' kind yu allus like. Come on, th' boys are Arizona, and five of his punchers, and later on the same day Mr. Pie the astonished cow-puncher. ·I'm an American--don't that make any Any pal of Buck's is my friend. Well, so long,· said the visitor as he and each of the two outfits tried to outdo the other and each individual bob-tailed jack! I had an uncle that died onct. He et too much pie an' The foreman cleared his throat and read distinctly: all night. When Buck says anything, she goes. He wants to know where th' from its holster and shoved it in its owner's hand. second rifle. He saw several of these follow shots and could sit in and advised him to ride toward the Lake in the night when it was and Red at the split rock they had noticed on their way up. might git if yu wants them bad enough. They've got a sombrero of mine,· ·Did I! Well, me an' Aristotle prospected all through that country till his friends. Then a second body numbering eight cantered into sight and help. smoke poured from his hips and the ball jumped continuously. Both guns ·Yu live close to yoreself or I'll throw yu so high th' sun'll duck,· ·Looks like we stuck up a government supply mule, Red,· he remarked, to be at hand, there was promised either a cessation of the outrages or first. goin' to call off their shots for 'em?· for them an' they hangs around home an' gets slaughtered! Yes, sir!· Plain, put yore left hand on a cactus sometime between sun-up an' sullenly turned to see what new idea he had found he gleefully waved his Soon the door opened and a bewhiskered, heavy-set man tramped in, and had failed to get Tamale Jose, he with his undeveloped strategy had flapjacks, Red,· he warned as he poked his captive in the back of the ·Yes. Shoot that bunch of warts an' blow that tobacco-eyed Gila to So in a month he'd sneak in an' freeze to a chair by th' door, an' after fo'teen.· complained. A spurt of alkali dust stung his face, but the hand that ·One. That's four. Wonder if th' others got any?· For Hopalong Cassidy, of the Ranch both speedy and sure. ·Yu,· he began, indicating all but Mr. Travennes, ·yu amble right smart The early part of the evening passed in peace, and Hopalong, tired of sweat band of my hat with rope; they ties up my pants; they puts water suggested. Red saw him leave the chaparral and in his haste to reload jammed the feet took huge steps up in the air, each one strictly on its own course. a precedent to hell for yu fellers! Don't yu

because yu fear yu'll have to stand the last one out. hand, the operation having a most gratifying effect. Mountains and had surmounted the opposite bank, Hopalong spurred his eyes scorched him and he shifted his gaze to Hopalong's neck. ·Yu wait; I wasn't dreamin', none whatever,· assured Tex. Alameda,· responded Hopalong, his voice low and monotonous. walked up to them. Never in all his life had he felt such a desire to ·Th' sons-of-guns,· said Hopalong, ·let's go an' get 'em,· he suggested, her of the whole outrage, and she was angry at first, but seeing the laughter. ·Ain't it funny!· he repeated belligerently. ·Of course that fears were expressed in the crowd that there would be an ·accident.· trouble. ·Who's a dish-rag?· He queried. The cook mumbled something The three riders felt of their accouterments, said ·So long,· and drunk an' forget it.· ·I knowed somethin' like this 'ud happen,· dolefully sang out Billy very poor shot) than yu an--· the tin plates and found only three, and, thinking that there would be before you left you pinned a note to that woman's dress. I found it, and appeared to be a fog rise out of the desert and intervene between them ·Hullo, Hopalong,· said the foreman. ·Want a smoke?· Waving his hand but he knew that he could not leave it until his opponent had either ·Yep. Bought a bottle of ready-made nerve an' went to his own funeral. their riders out of the other side of the town. Then he went gunning for had probably been secured during a fit of absent-mindedness on his part the habit of payin' early mornin' calls to this here corral?· persisted with his quirt, ·If yu don't 'Haw! Haw!' away from my ear I'll make it Hopalong shook hands with his guide and watched him disappear into the grub,· offered the foreman. rope carefully, disappeared into the crowd. The fun was not so great in of the weapon, he laughed at the woeful countenances displayed. ·Did on this tableland, and the herds of that ranch numbered many thousand Buck turned and faced the miner and his hand went out with a jerk. shoulder. ·Anything else?· he asked. Soon they came to an arroyo which they took at a leap. As they One of the Kid's peculiarities was revealed in the unreasoning and His reasons for making this trip were two-fold: he wished to see Buck She regarded him intently: ·I know that you will think me very forward.· the man who limped slightly as he advanced and who chewed reflectively ·Yore shore welcome to play if yu wants to. Didn't I tell yu when yu wrapped in their coats and buried in the necks of their mounts. For thought of what Charley had said, and he grinned sympathetically. The him against the bar. Then he tore the cheap

the east, two As dusk merged into dark he crept forth and collected several handfuls foreman's offer to treat. Tom Lee set a bottle at Buck's elbow and proud to know yu!· frame, where it hummed angrily. right smart I'll explain.· Spanish and in English that there was offered treachery that had forced him, fighting, to the camp of his outfit; and bowed. why he had lost so many friends: they had attempted what he had sworn to playful kick. ·Yu fellers git to work an' dig up some wealth--I'm mile or so. Sometimes they'd tie their ropes to a strand an' pull off a suicide an' think it's fun! Tell yu what, if them rustlers hangs out on weapon and the next minute the enraged assassin was staring into the board an' they'd all be kings an' then they'd have a cussin' match,· the ribs he passed his hands behind that person's back. Not finding the Bar-2's northern line was C 80's southern one, and Skinny Thompson took all I can see,· growled Mr. Connors. hungry.· Then he turned to Buck: ·Yore th' marshal of this town, an' any out in th' street, an' I'll pay yu th' next call. If yu rambles in range on, fellows,· he said; ·grub's ready. Where's Frenchy?· and in a clearing on the farther side was a rough camp, consisting of noise awakened the sleepers, who sat up and then sprang to their feet, As Pete began to feel restless the door opened and a dignified gentleman and had successfully resisted all the cunning and ferocity of a score see yore daughter!· ·Oh, they'll git me yet,· responded the pessimist. ·Yu needn't git outdone, bawled at the top of his lungs a medley of music-hall words to toll on the sleek herds of the Pecos Valley. Tamale Jose had raided once Laugh a little, sing a little, all th' day; where Harris's body lay. ·And we'll all git th' others later. They ·Well, I'll be locoed if I didn't punch with yu on th' Tin-Cup!· he they had turned and ridden off without knowing how bad he was hit. It in pattern the same as those commonly worn in the cow country, was of dropped full length to the ground, flat on his face. Hopalong's rifle of his Winchester at the knoll. a cloud of smoke over a knothole which was situated close up under the ahead--that's south. If you goes loco beyond Last Stand Rock, follow th' makes corrals to keep 'em in. They use th' wood for making other things, ·Most assuredly,· breathed the sheriff. what's th' matter with yu. Why, do yu expect to see him to-morrow? Yu ·Bad eggs, an' not a-carin' how they gits square. Th' feller yu' salted only meanderin' in th' misty vales of-of--· discomfited remnant of barrel-rollers broke for real cover. uproarious sanction, all needing bracers to sustain them. allus turnin' up that knows somebody yu knows. I'll just

heavy hand was placed on his shoulder and he silently wormed his too excited to sleep and having had unbroken rest for a long period, looked uneasily at his guest. of yore line,· he finished as he sized Hopalong up. th' Staked Plain from one end to th' other, an' that's what no white October morning and then out the other side of the town. Coming to When rifles and ammunition had been secured they mounted and followed it. place he had visited. has more right to do with Slippery Trendley as he sees fit than myself. a fight of half an hour rode the animal from the enclosure to the Buck swung away from the bar and looked at his dead cigar. Then he for several days, where he was to be joined by two of his friends and darkened and their horses whinnied in terror and the clumps of mesquite ·Is she in her room?· Buck slipped the Colt's from Billy's holster and yanked the erring one Triangle, followed eight hours later by ten from the O-Bar-O. The about crazy hens not knowing when to quit cackling and climbed up in his +--------------------------------------+ for him to overtake her, and when she smiled he raised his sombrero and blew another smoke ring. He was waiting for the gun to waver. outfits of the Star Circle and the Barred Horseshoe, eighteen in all, Eight crept down on the western side of the camp and worked their way points twenty per cent higher than Waffles, of the O-Bar-O, and won the this episode, when coupled with the use of dynamite, was more than could to pick it up. Hopalong noticed this and paused with the glass half It had been Hopalong's intention to carry out what he had told Red and hell-bent across th' trail plumb in front of a cayuse?· Asked Buck. The convalescent stared in open-mouthed astonishment: trouble. One, bolder than the rest, spoke up: ·The senor will not see ·Good· as the beef would allow. he smiled and laughed gently to himself. The trail he had just followed wanted yourn to be found in their places. Yu remembered Santa Fe an' passed and then the door slowly opened and a leg protruded, more slowly In the far corner of the room were two bronchos, one of which tried in he was loaded he tried to ride back th' same way he came, an' th' Johnny Nelson blew a cloud of smoke at the ceiling and paused with a remarks. Anyhow, yu won't be much loss, an' th' stage company'll feel ·Certainly--pardon my discourtesy,· said the sheriff. ·You see, I street and Hopalong purchased rings for the outfit. Twenty-four rings convulsed with laughter at his expense. He worked himself into a passion an' then cut th' cards to see if he was a prisoner or not. He's a shore

it. ·Sing! Black Hills, leaving Billy to untie himself as best he might. made it never made another. ·Three,· he called. ·How many, Hoppy?· and fear, and, turning, he ran down the street, with Cowan thundering The events slated were numerous and varied, the most important being huts in their field of vision. thinkin' he knowed more about th' Panhandle than me!· guns. Now I'm goin' to tell yu th' hardest part: yu are goin' to search not make use of the Winchester which Mr. Connors was foolish enough to as he heaved an old boot into the gallery. ·Hey, yu hibernatin' son of cyclone in a tenement house, and storm-cellars were much in demand. ·So long,· replied Frenchy, who turned toward the south and departed for ·An' we did run it, for a while,· responded Buck. ·But that only goes to whom were Mexicans. Mr. Cassidy then for the first time felt called he started to say something, faltered and stared with horror at a point ·Diggin' a hole to put yu in,· pleasantly replied Hopalong. ·If I didn't he went an' turned green, an so'll yu if yu don't let it alone.· yelled, turning the prisoner over to the squad by the fire. from the nearest cabin and any rustler who could cross that zone under before its sudden leap into the limelight as a town which did things. straggle back with the same report of failure. Buck and Red met on the Mr. Cassidy fired slowly and seemed to be waiting for something. Mr. rustlers, but recognition was impossible. Jimmy rested quietly for a few seconds and then slowly arose, dusting appeared in the upper panels at frequent intervals. animals, cayuses. I once saw one that could figger like a schoolmarm,· filled with remorse. wasn't expecting you to-night,· he explained, thinking of the th' Divide so fast yu won't have time to grease yore pants. Pick up that a fleeing cow-puncher, whose back rapidly grew smaller in the said to me.· ·Yah! They ain't lookin' for no trouble--they just goes around ·Where's our cayuses, General?· into seams and gaps; the lowest panel, the one having the ·H· in it, up on their sides by the ropes of the cowboys, the proud cow-ponies cartridges between himself and the promised eternity, as he would have Mr. Cassidy leading the northern division and Mr. Connors the one which being that if they looked around they wouldn't be able to dodge quickly his effort. left by rustlers, and that was an asset; he became of value to the on the hanging shelves and the bunks once again reveled in untidiness. ·Nope. I'm goin' to catch yu when yu lets go,· replied Hopalong with a Dan Tucker· and an assortment of similar airs, the board floor shook of them in the crowd, and they grinned broadly. ·I like

reckon she'll stampede up the street at Cowan's saloon. Shorty was complaining, ·They shore holding his seat; but in his addled state of mind he grasped the end of under all circumstances. of tobacco which hung from a peg. He did this in a manner suggesting to the time so uproariously set by his companions. Hatless, muttered. ·Mebby she won't make a bully light for pot shots, though,· he In Montana and Wyoming he was held responsible for the outrages of the to his feet, felt a spur rip from its strap and saw his cigarette leap time. I was beat fair an' square an' I ain't got no kick comin', none increased the tones until they bid to be heard at several hundred yards. ·The only man who could do that right was th' man who invented it, Mr. anything they hain't done to me? They hides my liquor; they stuffs th' to deal with them th' way I'm a-hankerin' for. Come right back to th' the barn. He endeavored to stand, but could not. Johnny, hearing rapid many times since they had first seen the light of day, and most of whom in search of a game of draw poker at the Black Hills Emporium, with the his foreman and grinned: ·Gee, but yore a brave man, Buck.· expect, should one be met with, and there were many imaginary Smiths put pocket the six extracted cartridges. Arising and going over to the feelings had been soothed by Mr. Cassidy's sullen silence he again They ambles up to Santa Fe' to find a quiet game, The outfit of the Bar-20 was, perhaps, the most famous of all from Then he recognized his friend and grinned joyously: ·Shore I will, but was excusable, for at certain seasons of the year the placid stream that time up in th' Bad Lands an' then said by-bye to th' Ninth.· ·It shore sounds like it,· acquiesced Johnny, red in the face from Shorty had the best position for defense, as he was in a shallow coule, ·Have you any objections to telling me your name?· Asked the sheriff as were doing he received a graze on the ear. we'll prospect th' boss.· constructed a cellar, also. he added deprecatingly. this is not known, an' if ever again yu feels like killing Hopalong, get ·Yore th' marshal of this place an' it's too good for me, but yore gain' obstreperous citizens and then had paced the zealous and excitable ·Yu poor sheep!· said Pete, and turning back to work he drove a .45 into West afforded. Each was a specialist: Hopalong, expert beyond belief When Mr. Travennes looked over the corral fence he was much chagrined to ·Yu shore had a bum teacher. Don't yu know better'n to push it in? An' ·Ya-as, there was a dance, an' yu can shoot purty durn far if yu was in for unlimited hilarity and a whole week in which to give strict generally find

astonishment at the shot cheerful about the recovery of the stolen cattle. Red could see a tall, the stiletto through the air and into a door, where it rang out angrily matter, which it ain't.· ·Now th' cavalry'll be huntin' yu,· croaked Billy. as he dodged in and out, and, emboldened by his luck, he made a run of happened!· Another whoop interrupted them, and Billy quit watching out of the there was no danger. Several red-shirted men passed by him on their way ·Good boy, sonny! Hey, Hopalong, Skinny perforated C 80 this mawnin'!· over to Frenchy, who received it in open-mouthed stupefaction. sought refreshment at the Emporium. Mr. Peters had just finished some Yu can dance an' shout, ·Huh!· exclaimed Hopalong. ·That was a tarantula what I plugged. He a new environment, and he lived as long as those exactions gave him the ·All knock-kneed animals do, yu heathen,· supplied Red. hardwood bar had been dragged across the field of vision and up to the He humored her until he saw that her mount was getting unmanageable, half apologetic manner. gits back, will yu?· asked. chips last night.· person, owing to the reticence of his friend. face was naturally frank and open; but when his eyes narrowed with ·Yah!· snarled Manuel. ·You wants to poison my little bird. You with the sudden vanishing. it protects a whole lot of birds an' things. Th' snakes hate it like spread out and searched for trouble. his eyes. ·Tell us about that jamboree over in th' Panhandle.· and disappeared into the brush. Ten minutes later forty of the force and dull in consequence, not to mention the sadness occasioned by of waiting, and risked what might easily have been death in order to son-of-a-gun. Yu shore can play draw. I'm goin' to try yu again some Six bottles, with their necks an inch above a board, stood twenty paces There was that affair in Red Hot Gulch, Colorado, where, under pressure, him at a hard gallop along the back trail. No words were spoken, for consistent game and usually left off richer than when he began, and this in the soft dust with Red's leg around his neck. Somewhat sobered by the and thirsty when he saw his friend, Mr. Pete Wilson, the slow witted, Good fords, good grass an' water all th' way, cattle fat when they Mr. Cassidy stuck his auburn head out of the wounded shutter and ·Well, I might use some,· answered the foreman, hesitating. ·But of the foreman that when the work was over he would accompany them, kept church.· aiming carefully. thigh in joy: ·Good boy!· he laughed. ·Billy's th' man--good Lord, but 'Tain't none of my funeral, only they ain't always a-carin' how they was shore loco about her. Swore she was the

got in,· Buck Peters and Red stood just behind the firing line with their hands he awaited any hostile demonstration on the part of the O-Bar-O; then, delight. ·Now git! An' if I sees yu when I leaves I'll send yu after yore friend. 'em. But didn't yu see too much of 'em once, or was yu poundin' leather to where the guards smoked and joked. Frenchy came out of the cabin assiduously endeavoring, with a promise of success, to get By-and-by yu?· Hopalong interrupted the conversation by driving up another calf, and Being strictly impartial and truthful, he gave up the effort of steps and was trying to sing many songs at once. hands in the darkness. ammunition. A pot shot at Hopalong sent that gentleman's rifle hurtling became very noticeable. One herd swept past toward the south, guarded real puncher afore. All th' same,· he remarked, nodding at several ·By twos, mostly. Then they parade-rested an' got discharged from duty. marshal in this burg?· further from that point. companion. ·MY red head!· he repeated, and then turned to Frenchy: ·Hey, ·That's all right,· averred the protector, confidentially. just for cussedness. Well, a whole lot of men are th' same way. How many for th' Sulphur Spring Creek district. We can spend a couple of weeks, An hour later Mr. Connors glanced behind him at the smoke silhouetted on ·How'd yu know?· queried Johnny as he filled his flask at the horse steers had gotten up after he had leaped from his saddle to tie them, shore raised a howl when he went to blow it--thought he's been robbed, loss of his hat. ·Goin' down to Buckskin,· he offered, and then asked, Travennes shrank back and regretted the words. replied Frenchy, a smile illuminating his face. when Red had examined them in the bunk house. Then they had given chase got little pins stickin' out of th' cylinder, like you had to swat it companion and then hesitated: from th' O-Bar-O.· crossed the state line from New Mexico, and at dusk camped at the base represented, for they were excellent examples of cowboy discernment and inclination to shy at this arrangement, but quieted down under the confident caress by lying flatter to the earth in a spurt of life--they wants parties an' lots of dancin' an' them kind of things. I a restless horse and not lose the drop, and backed off three hundred open contempt. the knowledge of work well done. He expected to remain in Alkaline This recognition of his prowess from men of the caliber of his audience if he comes? And all those people, they'll tell him!· some hopeful information. Besides, he is th' only man I knows of who's answered Red goodnaturedly. Laramie was his next

hand. of. Mr. Travennes felt of his bumps and did so, wishing hard things possessor of a biased conscience, if any at all. Tall, gaunt and and deliberate with a deadly hatred; Thirsty pale and furtive with a ·If yu wants to gamble so bad I'll flip yu to see who draws our pay refused to heed the calls of his former companion and return. He rode to the former to learn more thoroughly the lay of the land immediately ford they had taken on the way up. occurred at Cactus Springs and added that he wanted to go back and wipe the Bar-20 had, with a freedom born of excellent livers and fearless and added their bullets against Buck. The deceased had been the best They were the most experienced fighters of all except Buck, and were and inspected the animals at close range, and found that those which he told of the barb-wire fence war and of the new regulations of ·Smith and, besides, it was before breakfast and he was hungry. He would go comes!· 'em up on those cactuses or behind that mesquite? I wouldn't be a heap they found Hopalong in the manner narrated. side and grinning as the wondering object of his hail craned his neck to he could. Grasping Red by the shoulder, he tacked for the door and led the way to the hut, trying not to limp. ·Only he throwed dynamite. fought his last fight and was found face down in the half ruined house plumb locoed, all th' same. He'll go an' get stuck on her an' then his lack of courtesy. that ranch in gloom. Since the O-Bar-O was aggressively optimistic the An' all stampede down th' middle. ·How many, Buck?· Asked Red. calf was ·cut out· by the ropers and dragged out to get ·tagged.· Angry being better with his Winchester than Mr. Cassidy was with his Sharp's, yu stops runnin' while I can see yu I'll fill yu so full of holes yu'll up on the near side of the cut, he stepped back and surveyed his labor north and the contingents of the ranches represented in the Association Oh, we're that bunch from th' O-Bar-O! ·Do yu mean th' Cunningham Lake region or farther north?· Fe!· But now we're oft for a howlin' change. world. Hopalong was his particular ·side partner,· and he could lose to had ridden in at the north end of Main Street and out at the south. As ·Oh, I'm only goin' to Denver,· responded Pie. They rode on side by side through the clear night and together drifted drinking in the words of a barker. in range.· to fight Indians, that they had done many times and found more or less none were necessary. All knew that they would not return until they yet each was of strategic worth. Billy protected the horses, Hopalong Billy balanced himself, swayed back and forth and frowned his Hopalong informed the

·Easy, boy! Them highfalutin' words'il give yu a cramp some day. Yu talk uneasily. Mr. Travennes frowned and remained silent. of the attacking force to slip up to it and either destroy it by fire why. Weapons were put in a high state of efficiency, canteens were lied. was savin' that one for yu, Reddie,· he remarked, as he avoided Buck's not be clearly distinguished. As they approached nearer and finally drive. If th' last herds go wild they'll pick up th' others, an' then ·Who's Slim Travennes?· Asked Mr. Connors, never having heard of that Mr. Billy Williams, who sat at the top of the stairs, was feeling hungry his head and thudded into an adobe wall at his back. Another shot and he straps, made a belt for himself and a collar for his dog. The trousers Hopalong's cigarette disintegrated and the board at his left received being very careful not to lose the drop on his now armed prisoner. Buckskin was very hot; in fact it was never anything else. Few people in indecision. provisions enough for two weeks, with the assurance of reinforcements ·Shore. Waffles.· ranches, so there won't be no time lost. Carry all th' water yu can pack a happy-go-lucky, devil-may-care cow-puncher and became a machine. The with white whiskers came out into the hall and then retreated with great join in the fray by the side of Red. water,· responded Hopalong, enthusiastically. ·I've been doin' some hot of inviting trade, a proceeding not to the liking of his patrons for thinking, perhaps, that they were immune from attack with such a well Thereupon the discussion was directed at the judge, and the forenoon ·Hey, wait a minute,· yelled Pie after he had ridden a hundred yards. they got a king they'd lay one on its side. Sometimes they'd jar th' cussed bandage an' gimme some water,· snapped the injured man. settled one hundred yards to the north and on the same spur. Buck lay him. He had always had great respect for ricochet shots since his friend presence near at hand and looked up into the muzzle of a Sharp's rifle. its haunches, wheeled and retraced its course. The rear cloud suddenly companions at Albuquerque in order that he might have to himself all the vicinity of Fleas, who rapidly retreated around the corner, where he grew less as they proceeded. Then Mr. Cassidy retraced their steps to faintly responded to by another and larger cloud in its rear. As it came heart all day. on its merits, but refrained as the black holes in Mr. Connors' guns and paid no attention to him, which increased his disgust. ·She shore is!· answered Tex Le Blanc, and then, as an afterthought, he fights before Perry's Bend had disturbed the local

that the prisoners had rattlesnake, and disappeared in the chaparral. having upon many occasions caused hasty words between them. Mr. Connors, white man. ·If yu did,· grinned Hopalong, ·I'll shore make yu hard to find. Come The scene of the wrecked barroom was indescribable. Holes, furrows, of her corral, or you'll be broke so quick you won't believe you ever it gets so I can't go where I please I'll start on th' warpath. I won't treat: ·I've seen yu afore, up in Cheyenne--'member? How's yore friend leading the horses. and one swept down and covered them with stinging sand. The day became first thing he knowed he was three miles farther from his supper an' grinning from ear to ear at the spectacle he had just witnessed. ·I thought th' artillery was comin' into th' disturbance. I could see correspondingly quick of action, who never became flurried. His was the ·Come on, McAllister!· shouted another; ·we'll give 'em blazes!· In and hit their enemies, going through them like a knife through cheese. six claims at the cost of nine hundred hard-earned dollars, a fund brilliantly colored calico. A pair of suspenders, torn into two separate crotch. Then he slew his head around until he gained the bead he wished. back to the days of the Double Y. here climate'll be a heep sight hotter'n it is now. No hard feelings, much sarcasm. ·If yu reckons I'm fond of this locoed ramblin' yu shore dragged free an' fancy by a cow; ·Along th' Canadian an' th' edges, yas; in th' middle, no,· explained puncher. ·An' I don't need it,· he added, smiling. twelve miles to the south. At ten o'clock they dismounted before the | | Known as the Bar-20, Texas, U. S. A. | | straight as he pleases he ain't goin' to chase along a five-foot fence the pan the Mexican was about to throw and, turning the now frightened to furnish music for a dozen. Then when th' affair comes off yu'll Yu better take a pack horse to carry it, an' yore grub--yu can shoot it hardened and his eyes narrowed, ·for it'll take more than yu three ·Can't. They's all cashed in.· if carved from stone, with a look on his face that made the crowd shift been. He was so completely lost in his reverie that he failed to hear The air of carelessness disappeared from the members of the crowd and that he was thinking only of the second detachment. A hearty cheer arose take my cayuse--he's busted more'n yourn,· responded Skinny. starvation as the derrick that his honorable and disgusted adversary into the street. Returning in five minutes with both hands full of their riders saw their quarry a mile and a half in advance. One of the an' git tangled up with a two hundred and forty pound half-breed squaw ·Shoo! An'

gleefully as he pictured that ornery little cuss,· replied Buck. unfortunate m being the first to hold a carnival, inasmuch as it only placing his glass on the bar. ·He had to blow me an' Skinny twice last pleased expression now having added a grin. right along,· he said as he helped the sheriff to his feet. fastenings and crammed it under his belt. The glimmer of anger in his reveled in a perverse cussedness, for within a mile on every side lay their guilt was the finding of stolen animals in their possession, that ·A cook! A cook! Oh, joy, a cook!· exulted Johnny, not for one instant on its haunches as he stopped before a house. Glancing around and straps, on which, also, were silver buckles. Protecting his hands were amount of cussedness. He waved his hand, and Johnny and Red bandaged the buildings, four of which were of wood. As this material was scarce, and toward the Double Arrow, stopping at Cowan's long enough to spend some ·Right this way, gents, and see the woman who don't eat. Lived for two curiosity was always on edge, recognized only two facts and cared for and even Carter, owner of the Barred Horseshoe, far removed from the and sickening. Then a roar broke forth and the crowd of frenzied a-scared of,· confessed Red, after a pause. ·Why, he ain't a-scared of ·Plenty hot down there?· he pleasantly inquired, and as he received no Hopalong was very sensitive about his crippled leg and was always arise and pace the floor in anger. More men came to the Double Arrow and to indulge in the luxury of a morning plunge. After an hour's horseplay to cross the stream and find concealment in the edge of the woods which for himself. and lay down where he sat, sinking off to sleep with a swiftness that to Buck, ·Yore kid, Jimmy, is plugged.· Several of the more credulous shore have to try strichnine an' thin 'em out.· ·I reckon he is,· replied the proprietor, tossing Buck's quarter in the Cassidy, as he retired around the hut to formulate a plan of campaign. protect himself and to maintain his own standing. His nature saved him, remarked Mr. Travennes, beginning sarcastically and toning it down as he disposition. Then came Skinny Thompson, six feet four on his bared do I'm dead sore on objections. Let's peek in that there hut,· he at Laramie. Wasn't he th' cuss that built that boat out there on th' at two hundred?· Skinny cynically inquired. ·Got one that time,· he hesitating which route to take, Billy Jordan came up. In this contest Hopalong Cassidy led his nearest rival, Red Connors, ·East nothin',· replied Hopalong. ·Yu don't get me to wallow in hot the mighty rider of the Sioux; he, the bravest warrior and the greatest

be a swap.· question. ·Are yu with me?--Yu used to pal with some of them, didn't it.· form the headwaters of the Colorado, and two hours later they dismounted an' year out, an' what do we get? Fifty a month an' no chance to spend Having performed this act of kindness, he crept along the hot sand, bought a cheap sombrero. town.· up?· he asked. smile of satisfaction covering the face of Baum appealed to them as the journey. It was noon when he began to notice familiar sights, and an ·Buck Peters? Seems to me I have. Did he punch fer th' Tin-Cup up in four times a day eight years ago.· entered. stick. It was obdurate, so he sent three more shots into the door, and, his ear. ·That piebald's a goat; he's beein livin' off my pants lately,· At a rude table before the fire more than a score of men were eating ·I reckons th' cutters are classed th' same as rustlers,· remarked Red month in advance an' I'll have to go back an' earn it.· emphasis. He drove the horses outside, and, after severing the bonds on behind ourselves an' never get a peek at them. I am in favor of headin' CHAPTER VI. Trials of the Convalescent tote our guns!· and they paused in indecision. Then Frenchy turned toward his companion ·Did yu git him?· asked the anxious Johnny, rubbing his welt. ·Plum' a rope swished through the air and settled over the stump which lay most he turned and struck with all his might in the face of a man who leaped Hopalong and Red awkwardly bumped their knuckles against their guns and turned his mount around and applied the spurs, thereby causing his not now going to beg for mercy. When he had taken up crime as a means Several of the defenders were housed in cabins having windows in the That the rustlers were working under a well organized system was ·Hullo, old Buck-with-th'-pants, how's yore liver?· time. In slow shooting from sights Tex passed his rival in points and gallery this mornin' when I come back for my cigs,· remarked Hopalong, troubled with police rules, kept the door wide open for the purpose James,· humbly requested Lanky Smith, morally backed up by those with show its lines to the best advantage. for another round. head of a Gila monster from its scaly body as it opened it venomous jaws It was fine. He cussed an hour frontways an' then trailed back on a dead Carmencita.· in a heap. All were beaming with good nature, for they were as so many ·The greatest wonder of the age, gents. The wom--· with one swift glance. Three men--and they looked like the crowd he had them they fired at him and yelled. He rode on for some distance and ·Yu seems to worry a whole lot about me. Is it because yu has a to refuse him.

and the clink of glasses could be heard. They stood in picturesque ·There do not appear to be many women in this country,· she suggested. in. One cheek was slightly swollen and his clothes shed dust at every sabe? It's just a casual bit of advice. Come on, fellows, let's ·Well, Red, they wasn't all there. They was only twelve all told,· Hopalong laughed joyously at a remark made by Waffles and the stranger revealing the real purpose of the trip. Buck, perspiring and dusty, accompanied by Hopalong and Red, rode up ·That so?· Asked Buck. reprisals, and these caused Buck Peters to ride into Buckskin one bright the forward ones and to send them pushing the sand behind in streaming sleep and a proneness to avoid moving. Like the untrammeled coyote, harm and intended to take care of the rest by himself. occupation. When a man's cattle couldn't spread out all over the land he Kid Morris, after vainly trying to slip a blue-bottle fly inside of he'd only stand off an' swear at th' slide.· the hotel, was methodically dropping the horses of the besieged, a job former position with an emphasis which conveyed a warning. for a pack of Mexican cards and laughed. ·Man! You're a cool one--I'll do ·Mebby yore pard has wore out somebody's patience, too,· said Mr. who approached rapidly until about five paces away, when he slowed up eaves of the barroom; and it was being agitated. Some one was blowing at glasses? Shut yore wailin' face--they's somethin' worse'n that in this Billy looked dubious and said nothing. If he hadn't proven that he was inclined bank into the river. Red fired again and laughed to himself. Hopalong reloaded his guns and proceeded to the Emporium, where he found funny cuss.· chieftains. He was a log of grave deference which tossed on their sea of lay hidden behind a bowlder. Three hundred yards on the other side of But yu must keep up with th' fiddle.· did.· the order. of uncovering vast stores of virgin gold. Their hopes were of an showed yellow, and splinters mysteriously sprang from the casings. The sees th' rope afore yu duck.· Then he laughed: ·Yu bashful fellers make Smith, the Bar-20 rope expert, had taken first prize in the only contest and he was the judge, was expected to shoot if he could and save his lying at full length. Then he stuck his head out of the window and Colt's .45, and Hopalong swore at everything under the sun. Dust arose in sidle over to him he smiled and nodded a hearty welcome. When they had covered fifty miles they sighted the Cross Bar O ranch and smiled at his friends. Swinging in his left hand was a newly filled away. This had been dug by a man

from the buckskin shirt of his enemy; another tore a flower enemy's water supply, which was the river. A hundred paces separated it stood to win. There was but one more event to be contested and in it Lord help Billy! Holy Mackinaw!· he shouted. ·Gimme a drink an' let me ·Oh, we're that gang from th' O-Bar-O,· hummed Waffles, sinking the into trouble without any intention of so doing; in fact, he was much ·Then you will not care if I ride with you?· She asked. ·I am a trifle the east, directly toward the sun, which at this time was halfway to the how me an' him'll buck th' tiger for a whirl--he's shore lucky. Well, so ragged end of nothin' wobbling in space! Yu wall-eyed, ornery, locoed to town, and one, a grizzled veteran of many gold camps, stopped and from the rear and collected nineteen weapons of various makes and around for more. up. Then he snorted and turned his back again. Salvation looked askance at Buck and then at the others. ·Mebby,· he as the C 80. He was hit twice, but he unlimbered his artillery, and the man who had rustled his horse. He was unsuccessful and returned to Occasionally a dwarfed mesquite raised its prickly leaves and rustled the size made by an ordinary shot, and it bled profusely. Skinny crawled Up the street two hundred yards from the Houston House Skinny and Pete establish the fact that they were roaring prairie fires, attempted to for Harris an' one for Hopalong, an' what more do yu want?· Only once had he erred, and then in the spirit of pure deviltry and in ·Easy as sin,· he said. a-goin' to tell yu he's any saw-horse, for yu'd know better, as yu for a short distance and, from some inexplicable motive, probably fear, When Buck had been informed of this he called to him Hopalong Cassidy, cactus at his right boomed out mournfully and a hole appeared in it. He terminals of the railroad that year. For two weeks the banks of the Rio ·You are the man who killed Tamale Jose, whom I hunted for unceasingly. be painfully self-conscious of any such defect, and it reacted on his and desperate, popped his head up an blinked at Mr. Cassidy's gun. recollection of the brand of gun-play commanded by Mr. Cassidy, he But Hopalong got it at last. He had found tobacco and rolled a The man on the stump laughed and rolled a fresh cigarette. Lighting it, five-dollars horse--horses ride dollars--then he straightened up and ·Oh!· ejaculated the foreman, smiling, ·purty cussed.· four-laigged, knock-kneed, wobblin' son-of-a-Piute had to cut me out. he sobbed in a frenzy of vengeance. ·Come on, Skinny! We'll tear their my friend Slim going to hades,· he remarked to himself in audible and th'

remained about him that stoical to hell for them. They've taken th' pot so many times that they reckons attention and eagerness and remarked nothing but the words. ·An' he's so young!· sobbed Frenchy. Johnny to pass, probably having seen him riding that way. When he had of habit and because no one else would. His companions understood this some decent stuff afore he comes to town,· he warned. Three Triangle and the Double Arrow, and they were positive that any accomplished without harm to themselves, as those of whom they inquired ·An' what for?· blazed his friend. ·To plug sand storms? Anybody what we for the trail was plain. The assassins had waited in the chaparral for of heart failure. As Charley had been a ubiquitous nuisance, those That's him down th' street,· enlightened the host, thawing to the are lookin' for trouble,· offered Pie. Mr. Cassidy lapsed into a painful and disgusted silence and his friend ·Th' more th' Kid talks, th' more money he needs,· remarked Lanky, time to 'tend to th' wire-fence men, too. Why, we'll be told we can't manner: rustlers were again at work. of its members. inflicted; their work was one continual hardship, and the reaction of heel of the unencumbered hand. The speed thus acquired was greater than unwavering and, to him, growing muzzle of a Colt's .45. ·Well, I'll be back directly an' I'll have them cayuses or a scalp. Yu whom they had left, and several curses were hurled at the cowboy, who room. Not finding signs of other guests, on whom to lay the blame for ·Here he comes now,· he said as Hopalong walked up. ·Tell him what yu sprang into Buck's eyes found a silent answer in those of his friend. a reg'lar terror, I am. That's why; an' seein' as it is, yu better amble shore touched her off--I reckon we irrigates on yu this time, don't we?· greatly. Being fair and square himself, he could not understand the Billy Williams returned to the bar. Then he walked along it until he Jimmy looked up. ·I heard tell that they make glue outen cayuses, located the missing sombrero, which they carried to the grub wagon and of sand rolled down his neck. The leather of his saddle emitted strange ·Jack Dorman, Shorty Danvers, Charley Teale, Stiffhat Bailey, Billy minute no sound but the guarded breathing of the onlookers could be shortly before noon a soiled white shirt was flung from a window in the ·Bet yu ten we don't git 'em afore dark,· he announced. acourtin', wouldn't I?· asked the downtrodden Williams. juice a Gila monster that was staring at him and took a savage delight ·Up above. Yore gall is shore apallin'. Help me in, yu two-laigged attention to the proceedings. His fickle nerve came back again, for shied

after leaving the last-named ranch Buck turned to Frenchy ·Th' C-80 lost another herd last night.· Red looked off toward the south for the tenth time and for the tenth thoroughly understood that at least some of them found their intended While on the way from Denver to Santa Fe they had met Pete Willis of the th' bottom of it.· ·Got any cigarettes, Hoppy?· said a voice from below. where Hopalong was awaiting him as if he was afraid he wasn't going to ·Will you please tell me where I am?· She asked. that it was too old to eat, anyway, he suggested a plan which had ·Woof!· he grunted in the hot sand as he arose on his hands and knees Mr. Travennes looked put out and backed off. ·What yu mean, stickin' me Buckskin. make good his boast or to die. When he found his enemy he felt himself standin' clost together an' they tried for both. They shot twice, one Hopalong relaxed: ·No, but blame near it.· and sorrow in rapid but somewhat wild gun play, and soon remembered that him with eyes full of inquiry: ·What is that thorny shrub just ahead?· his vigilantes, bein helped some by th' O-Bar-O. They wiped th' town ·Honest I didn't, did I, Johnny?· He asked appealingly. ·'Bout five dollars a day apiece, but that ain't nothin' when grub's so behind it is splendid, and I can appreciate it because I had such a hard newly found friend started for the town. followed the short cut having the most water and grass, and pounded out a lively tattoo as they raced over the stretches of sand which seemed to The movement was fatal, for before he could draw, the Colt in Hopalong's Quiet and unassuming, small of stature and with a kind word for every ·Yep. Want one?· Asked Mr. Travennes. ·What does he look like on th' general run?· Blandly inquired Mr. elaborate preparations that he would have gone to if he had thought the Mr. Connors would go when they died. Buck continued: ·Th' reason I asked yu was because I don't want yu to quietly. forward and gently twitched the tripping-rope. The man at the other end said he'd give a century fer five minutes' palaver with him, but he take,· he continued when he had lowered the level of the water in his looked out over an extensive bottoms. At their feet lay a small river, As Hopalong leaned back against a rock he was hit in the thigh by a craftily. wondering if the tobacco had been left in the hut on a former call. she'll hit th' trail for home an' mamma, an' he won't be worth his feed of two or three. One of these groups strolled over to the solitary card Tex was proud of his outfit, but his face wore a frown--not there only on toward the woods, raised from the ground as it grew taut and, with themselves around him,

by chance and his own guns. As he rolled his eyes in ecstatic ·I ain't--they're under th' bunk,· contradicted and explained Mr. down the stairs. Hopalong thought that he, also, had to meet a man and, flame-swept town of Cactus Springs. The Mexican's face brightened somewhat, but it would take more than that assenting to something. Hopalong emerged and took a seat at the fire, their former comrades, who barely escaped by rolling down the slightly boots!· when a man has been used to ridin' where he blame pleases an' as his sombrero to cheer him on. An angry pang! from the knoll caused that anybody in th' middle Panhandle. Then there's Fort Worth purty near, give his counsel as to the best way of securing eighteen breakfasts. At this juncture all were startled by a sudden eruption from Billy. Bad men became scarce soon after Hopalong became a fixture in any again the subject was changed, and several hours later they rode into ·Hullo, Pie,· replied Hopalong, recognizing Pie Willis. ·What was yu either case he didn't get his hat without begging or fighting for The first step considered necessary for the acquirement of case and Hopalong dug up a handful and threw one on the counter, lighting funny,· he added, grinning as he pulled the wet shirt away from his ·If it was they took th' wrong trail home--that ain't th' way to Mexico.· had returned from exercising the animal and himself over two miles of To the south another cloud of dust rapidly approached and the rider crack and settled down for another try. something might happen that wouldn't let me.· Then his face lighted up As it touched the door, Lanky Smith, Hopalong and Red stepped out of the goes after a feller. So long,· and soon he was a cloud of dust on the lighter, several whizzed through the loopholes. He kept close to the bed he slipped them in the chambers of the new gun and then placed the Then the two held up their hands and advanced. time.· season in the city last winter--so many balls, parties and theaters that head and disappeared. If he ·got mad· he was to be regarded as not th' Great Divide,· enlightened that person, and they were childlike in tales concerning it were the persons Tex had named. To deliberately what's th' use stewin' over it? It'll come out all O.K. in th' wash.· armistice. Then two hands shot up and Mr. Travennes, sore and disgusted afforded. secure a rifle and return to release the others by drilling him at long grub an' water an' be quick. We'll see who the gent with th' grudge is.· his chin and then on down his neck. ·Yu with th' lovely face, sit down!· he ordered as the person addressed ·Swing th' girl yu loves th'

fragments so forcibly intruded on his peace the reports died away Buck and Red turned the corner of the store, Colts blood, was carried into the bunk house. Buck waited until all had Then he stopped another rush from the front, made upon the supposition down!· he repeated, shoving the weapons forward and pulling back the quick and shooting straight with one movement, were the words ·liar,· Frenchy turned to the rustler and regarded him evilly. ·You are the ·'Pears like a feller can't amble around much nowadays without havin' to rear being brought up by Frenchy, whose rifle lolled easily in the from his lips. Throwing the guns to Red, Hopalong laughed and abruptly While the fight raged hottest Mr. Nelson sprang from his horse and ran snakes. He runs along th' sand-an' he can run, too--an' sees a snake ·Th' mournful Piute,· ejaculated the cook. ·I'll shore make him wish The first of the money spent went for a complete new outfit, and he had ·Mebby you kin go to blazes. I ain't no gallery,· grinned the now wouldn't have to keep so many men. Farms would spring up and the sun of locality. He had been crippled some years before in a successful to stray far from their ranch-houses and horses. These latter would be ·Come up, yu sons-of-guns. Yore a cussed nuisance sometimes, but yore a of exultation, and his words were sharp and incisive; one could well account of the nature of the ground. Buck wheeled and dashed down the yer now.· When the calf sprang up it was filled with terror, rage and pain, and soliloquized. an' to reach yu. I'm goin' to use smoke signals to call th' other The odor of burning cowhide came from the corral, accompanied by the point, but now he declared himself. ·Yu heard what Buck said, didn't possessor of a temper which was as dry as tinder; his greatest weakness He or his pals will get yu if yu don't watch th' corners.· could not restrain his enthusiasm pounded him on the back and cried: ·Yu way after Pie as that person led the way back to the horses. Mounting, to travel in style, get to Big Spring by ridin' two miles to where I had thrown. and looked it over. ·Come here! What d'yu mean, acting thataway? Yu forward and Hopalong slid a smoking Colt in its holster. indulge in a free drink. imagine one heard the click of his teeth as they bit off the consonants: him was enough for Skinny, who let go at long range--and missed. ·Two hundred apiece,· responded Buck, springing into his saddle and times have I seen them swagger into a gin shop an' try to run things panels of the door were producing cracks and the cheap door handle CHAPTER XVII. Mr. Trendley Assumes Added Importance them

made community; he was an economic factor. the illiterate who could ride and shoot and live to himself was far more Two men sprinted from the edge of the woods near Mr. Trendley's cabin plumb off th' earth, an' now I'm going to do some wipin' of my own much gold he could carry on a horse. Then, as he realized that he could seared and shattered and covered with blood; bodies as they had been few scattered cabins along the edge. A huge fire was blazing before the wounds being in the fleshy parts. He was a philosopher and was to be afraid of now.· turned the corner and drew rein suddenly, causing their mounts to slide for that eight years ago, and I don't want it mussed none.· get-a-way that vamoosed when we got Tamale.· of next week for it. He won't do, so I reckon yu better go yoreself,· at Muddy Wells. With that rivalry so common to Western towns the Then he stood up and glanced at the gun in his hand and at the eager man Hopalong knew this portion of the desert for ten miles inward--he had ·Is that his tobacco?· He asked, and the guard, anxious to make Planting his feet far apart and placing his arms akimbo he faced his line-up, and coughed up chunks of broken profanity, grieving his host by ·What are we up here for?· He asked, belligerently. ·Why, because them body. For a second there was an intense silence, heavy, strained protection. The only reason that could be given for the hitherto he heard a yell from Hopalong, and saw that interested individual waving grief that had torn his soul was not of the kind which seeks its outlet aholt an' hop along, Hopalong.· ·Who owns a mosaic bronch, Chinee flag on th' near side, Skillet brand?· One afternoon, a month after the reception of the honorable delegation Connors, leading the second squad,--arrived to participate in the doubting Buck's ability to capture the whole outfit and seeing a whirl As the night grew older man after man rolled himself in his blanket go straight down 'til they find it, sometimes fifty feet. That's why it lights was lit so's he could get a front seat. That was all hunky for ever growed.· Here he choked and tears of laughter coursed down his several square feet of parched throats belonging to the audience he esteemed than the educated who could not do those things. The more a man closed. amazement. him ·potted· on the way back, he mounted his broncho and indicated to The town lay sprawled over half a square mile of alkali plain, its main ·One.· openings. The first thing that occurred when a man put his head out was at Thirsty. He's my meat an' I'll plug th' fellow what says he ain't. She found out his name, and, after an interval of

taking six seconds. His Finally, wearied by his vain efforts to keep it open and fearing for the and spat alkali. time, the three suicidal terms, unless one was an expert in drawing ·Who is he?· Asked Hopalong, having his suspicions. ·That friend of Hopalong watched the couple until they swung around and then he laughed ·I never hankered much for them things,· Hopalong replied. ·An' I don't half an hour before dawn that he was attacked. Then a noise sent him to cellar. ·Don't yu know any better'n to heave things thataway?· ·They'll get lynched some time, shore,· declared Buck. measures were expected to cause the rustling operations to cease at uneasily and glance at Trendley. adding that he had found the trail left by the rustlers after they had be the rear door and derived a great amount of amusement from the spots labor. sent shot after shot into the fleeing mob, which he could not follow on course. He was very much troubled, for, as foreman of the Bar-20, he The trip was uneventful and several weeks later he entered Red Dog, a neighbor when that unfortunate individual was not looking. He had ·Hi, yu cook!· he shouted, ·amble in here an' git a rustle on!· sported a new and cheap sombrero and also a belt and holster complete. ·If you finds where they hangs out come away instanter,· here his face Tenspot Davis, looking inquiringly at Frenchy. ·Heard any more news?· thus taking the town from front and rear. Hopalong. ·In about two weeks we'll have a new marshal an' he'll shore began to notice signs of nervousness on the part of his guest, which ·Where'd he get yu, Fat?· asked Hopalong. yourn now.· have energy enough to demand and justify such classification. With them Jose and his men had crossed the Rio Grande and repeatedly levied heavy front of the horses, and Pete, from his position between Billy and in after him. The timorous one was corraling bracers at the bar and contemptuously. Through Pete's glasses Hopalong saw a leaden splotch appear on the rock The newcomer stopped his horse in a cloud of dust, playfully kicked the ranch the next morning for breakfast. ·Wonder what's good for it?· they picked their way out of the grove and rode over the plain at a about him existed in all parts of the great West. From Canada to Mexico were on the streets and the town was quiet. Over in the Houston hotel added, ·Where'd yu hit th' War-whoops?· he had seen the Apaches cook it. Mr. Travennes blessed hobbies, specific ·We eats his grub, nobody else. If he gits drunk that's our funeral; but announced that he was entitled to a holiday; and Buck had not the heart he grinned and took out five silver dollars, which he

they doing up here!· blazed her father. Hopalong ·Better man comin'. Ever hear of Buck Peters or Red Connors of th' would drop in an' say that they're comin' after yu to-night, shore. Just C-80 over at Buckskin they couldn't help runnin' into singin' lead!· now? Anyhow, they're better'n coyotes.· ton at th' coast. They use it for ballast.'· If Mr. Travennes could be persuaded to get out of--well, it was worth ·We wants to play draw, Jimmy,· explained Pete. the receptive ears of the stranger. Thereupon Johnny confided to his that he could find. a while, but every time he'd go out to irrigate, that female remarked as he glanced up the street. Shadowy forms were gliding from charged at Billy from the rear as that pessimistic soul was leaning over ·Some, yu little cuss,· answered Red with all the good nature in the direction of the complainant. Then he stood erect and awaited results look again, they stopped and turned and Bill laughed. he stepped forward and followed the ball until once more his guns in the card room of the ·Hurrah· convinced its proprietor that they had erratically grab for the tantalizing fortune. across the river, fording it where he had crossed it when pursuing a Double Arrow. the breaking of these caused no unnecessary anxiety, for justice was his friends. ·Yu old sons-of-guns,· he said. They looked sheepish and ·Why, because they costs us big money every year,· he replied. ·There's ·Yah! Yu onct tried to clean up the Bend, Buckie, an' if Pete an' Billy He grasped the situation in a flash and calmly blew several heavy smoke I was ordered to do, an' yu can't get me to go over there if you shouts lines heavily shadowed in the light of the flickering oil lamps, while That was what had occurred. The two impatient punchers, had grown tired th' muzzle of a empty gun is scandalous. If my remarks don't perculate ·Well, they might be in th' shack,· replied Mr. Cassidy. ·Cayuses know half audibly, ·He's a shore good kid.· bullet. Then he crawled around to one side and fired at the center of his ·C.· Half an hour later he espied a cow-puncher riding like mad. Thinking beats anything I ever seen.· leather an' I've had to use my guns purty considerable, but I reckons if informed him that he had made a hit, and Mr. Cassidy ran out and dragged guard the ranches; the other, to sleep fully dressed and armed and never was primed some for trouble, too,· he added. ·She shore is. Seen anybody yu knows?· Pie asked. cowpunchers, all aching to wipe out the indignities suffered. the outfits. spots, and on its near flank was a peculiar scar, the brand. Foam scratched his head. ·Gee, yu've roped me--I suppose she has got another would be avenged on

sounded and a hush swept over the crowd as the ·If I could scare up another gun I might get th' whole blamed town up,· definition, grouchily expressed to Red Connors on the day following the ·Has Hopalong an' Red showed up yet?· Asked Mr. Peters, frowning at the for his baggage, which he found to be generously perforated. Swearing said rider being heralded by a blazing .44. silently. ·Buck's got too many feet,· he seriously remarked to his ·I'd shore look nice hittin' th' trail because Manuel Somebody wants for cookie, an' askin' me for cartridges. Buck used to larrup yu about Suddenly he turned around in the saddle and fired twice. One of his ·In th' off leg. Hurts like blazes. Did yu git him?· ·Never like to promise nothin',· he replied. ·I might get plugged, or He clattered across the stone-paved plaza and threw his mount back won't if I knows him an' I reckon I do. Nope, he'll be follerin' her all victim's energetic elbow he ran out of the room and presently returned Williams, strong on the side of his pessimism. had said about being afraid of the trail past the ca on and wishing to yanked it open and kissed the muzzle of the weapon before he could stop, said, tossing off the liquor. squeals of cattle, and informed them that brands were being blotted out. puncher gets shot at.· better, too.· them of their torment and, looking forward to more treatment of a to treat 'em that way!· heat, but when the blazing sun had begun to settle in the west it awoke Riding down the wide, quiet street, he stopped and dismounted before the commonplace. things than any man I knows of, an' I calculate that if Buck pals searching the face before him. the table. Then he quickly glanced at the card players and saw a hostile in temperament, neither were they moralists. He was not a menace to said was a window? Ah, come on an' open th' door--I'd shore like to see house the owner, Bud Wallace, came around the corner and saw them. Cowan entered the saloon the next morning he could not find By-and-by's firelight. If yu ain't got th' tin left caused to yank them in again, and turning his head quickly he the narrowly missed hitting the bottom step first, landing, as it happened, protected, they scattered out to surround the knoll. the table and died. pony swept on in a spurt of nerve-racking speed, but alone. By-and-by mounts of the cowboys steadily cut down the distance and, as the rifles shortly before noon. At this time the old Spanish city was a bundle of the fire to catch up. ·Better have some grub with me--don't like to eat his opinion of his physical condition. back, employing the intervals in trying to see how much of the picket

became hard and resolute as he led the way Another shot hurtled at him and his left arm fell to his side. ·That's away and settle the score at some time when they would be on equal several punchers sat around it occupied in various ways. Two men leaned man an' keep their nerve. What'd yu say to th' marshal?· man on the rock. their hands instinctively streaking to their thighs for the weapons take care of him,· jerking his thumb over his shoulder toward the saloon a hundred an' eighty an' he's shore got sand to burn.· played at chasing coyotes in the direction of the line-house, where he ·Oh, we're that gang from th' O-Bar-O,· hummed the Kid as he sauntered self-reliance, impressed the stranger and he remarked to Red, who on hips, and Tex, seeing the precautions, smiled grimly as he advanced rifle and could hardly be seen from the rear seats of the amphitheater. Then, again, it's close to the railroad. Up north aways is th' south disclaimed any knowledge of them and just then Billy opened the door and ·Out in this country people get in trouble when they're found with other The outfit of the Bar-20 was too well known to cause exuberant joy to them in plain sight I've got to hand 'em over to some liquor-wrastler? I Red waved his hand and said that he had to meet a man and clattered ·Yu and yore Sharp's!· exploded Red, whose dislike for that rifle was Santa Fe loomed up before him several days later and he entered it ·How can it live without water?· She asked. out of it for you. Let him think he's cut you out, for he'll spend all another dash, but leaped into the air, and, coming down as if from an he takes me by di' arm an' leads me to th' window. 'See that pile, my of the land, and the thought came to him that there was a small but deep the collection of six-shooters was on Mr. Connors' horse so they reluctant boiled potato, ·How'd yu do it, Skinny?· ·Shore 'nuff. Funny how a feller forgets sometimes. Lemme alone now, ·Oh, he kin cook now, all right.· replied Waffles. forgotten that he was powerless and was not the one to make terms. He desired something contrasty and he procured it. His sombrero, of gray mournfully at intervals and finally rolled down the steps with a on the American side of the Rio Grande and shouted advice to a score of door frame. His entrance scared white some half a dozen loungers, who ·I shore do,· answered that individual. their reputations as poker players and had used the money to stake Mr. they's goin' to git By-an'-by. Pete an' Lanky has just went in after ·Who has?· Came from the window, followed immediately by, ·Yu've got my guards, and at midnight another squad took up the vigil. year

words would not come. At the Mr. Trendley, sleeping unusually well for the unjust, leaped from his refilled and haversacks were somewhat depleted. Then the newcomers shadows made before noon--that's th' quickest way to th' Pecos. Yu all most distant from the fire, and the latter limped. Then they saw two men Mr. Travennes acted as though he would like to scratch his thigh where ·I wisht yu'd extricate yore delicate feet from off'n this hyar table, heavily. As he arose choking with broken-winded profanity Red dragged could only make one on this stove. Then I'll head north along Sulpher swore long and earnestly at the scene its loss brought before him. He Bar-20. No tub-ridden Diogenes ever knew so little of responsibility or know he wasn't around this part of the country I wouldn't a rode as I with his heels, and grasping the weapon with both hands turned to Cowan, ·Trot 'em out,· ordered Hopalong shortly. had a cent: that's straight. This is the third year that she's been here Tom Halloway--'member him?· After some time the three left the room and headed for Albuquerque, Cassidy, wishing to verify his suspicions. He thought of the trouble awake. Fearing that a plot was being consummated to deprive him of his Cassidy likewise mounted with his attention riveted elsewhere and backed uncertain,· replied Red. the expenditure of the greater part of their combined capital on such ·Friend of yourn just hit the back trail,· he remarked to Hopalong. ·He tell yu to unload yore lead-ranch, but he ambles up close an' taps yu dropping as they gained the open air. One hundred paces makes fine watching in vain, wished for action. Midnight came, and it was not until anybody. Don't yu know now? She was about so high,· holding out his and throwing it into the empty holster, he awaited the signal, and then Pete Wilson skillfully flipped a potato into that worthy's coffee, ·Well, I'm speakin' from there not being any out here,· he responded, turned to the landlord. ·Yes,· drawled Red, whose recollection of that fight was vivid. ·Yas, chairman of the committee on arrivals, and the two gentlemen of the to Canada. They did not ask Buck for any of the particulars, for the ·Don't say that, sheriff; you've got lots of time to reform,· replied a The others replied by applying their spurs, and in a short time they person, slapping his holster. ·Does he, Lefty?· rings around the frowning barrel. re-read his paragraph for the thirteenth time and then, slamming the Buck looked around and cleared his throat: ·We've got th' cows on th' from Hopalong's direction Skinny knew that his neighbor had been hit. them broke down, but quickly regained his

Hopalong turned to his companion and smiled. ·What'd he say?· He asked respective owners and reverted to the established order of things. enough. He then slipped bits of his lariat over their wrists and ankles, moved and shot with a speed incredible. There was reason why Slim had best shots kicked up the dust fully fifty yards too short. The pony was repeating Winchesters of late model which lay stacked in a corner. window ledge, dangling his feet on the outside. He occasionally sent a woman, and on a couch at the far side of the room lay an elderly peeping handles of long-barreled Colts, set off with picturesque chaps, Hopalong, a friendship that would have placed them side by side against ·When fences grow in Texas there'll be th' devil to pay,· said Buck. He plugging an old bullet hole in the crown. slid out of the window, his friend going by the door. shook and the air was fogged with smoke and dust. Suddenly, his belt here?· ·What's th' matter?· Inquired Mr. Peters of Mr. Cassidy. ·Yu looks mad Jimmy was choking and he coughed up blood. ·He's shore--got me. My--gun kicking out with both feet at once. A warning metallic whir-r-r! on his could pour a glass of liquor, held at arm's length, through a knothole they passed the last line-house and, with the profane well-wishes of broncho, and as he ascended the topmost rise he glanced below him at the by th' plaza an' hollered 'Fire,' an' they did. He was shore a good from him, and he broke them all in as many shots, taking twelve seconds themselves the wherewithal for the required breakfasts. An hour spent made him feel good, and he grinned: ·Gee, I'll bet Halloway an' his the report that three evil Spirits had chased them with ·wheel guns· remainder. ·That's five simoleons she didn't get. So long.· Merwin-Hulbert's, three Prescott, an' one puzzle,· he added, examining cain't git away for long.· Mr. Cassidy, while figuring out his method of procedure, absent-mindedly wagon. And that night Billy swore off drinking coffee. the top of the corduroys (the exceptions making convenient shelves for stamping ground. he hated as much as he hated poison. The corral was their death trap. rumbling protest. Wisps of smoke slowly climbed up the walls and seemed Mr. Travennes replied that he didn't know. He was worried, for he The last, Hopalong Cassidy, was a combination of irresponsibility, yore bunch 'ud show up--that ornament yu jest buffaloed shore raised th' any man and, on the contrary, had frequently voluntarily handicapped hated to think that some day the freedom of the range would be annulled, ·One.· ·Why, shore,· said Mr. Peters, ·we'll all go. Such doings must be Jimmy's

dandy-coyotes an' men can't get through it, an' about twenty paces away from the rear wall. Heaping the excavated dirt that he had made the mistake and it was in this raid that Frenchy with a fusilade. started for the door. Turning around he looked at his miner friend and and they arose in a body to flee from half their number, who, guns in ·Yep. But he's one of th' gang. No good, an' drunk half th' time an' losses had long since passed the magnitude of those suffered when Tamale ·Ya-as,· drawled Frenchy, delving into the possibilities suddenly opened inquisitive and pugnacious sand flies; and lying across his lap was a Wow! Wow! What d'yu mean? Think I am a echo cliff? Yu slabsided got any pills left. I ain't no ars'nal.· Street depressing in its width, for those who were responsible for its saloon, gasped his astonishment. Buck looked twice to be sure, and then the prisoners wore two. Then he added the five that had kicked against southwest. Frenchy had paid no apparent attention to the conversation up to this and raised a gun to his shoulder and the thunder that issued from it but his horse had taken care of that. His nearest rival was one minute ·Slim Travennes,· replied the proprietor, flopping a flapjack. Mr. he dashed for his pony and made for the newcomers. responded Frenchy. regarded him with a cynical smile. for there won't be no hole for yu to crawl into next time. What friends unfortunate saw the irate man bearing down on him he sputtered in rage and angrily spat the soaked paper out from between his lips. I've sampled XXXX whiskey 'till I couldn't hardly see, An' dallied When Cowan returned from his hopeless task, blowing and wheezing, he street. Th' first man who tries to get scarce will stop somethin' hot. rifle, ·we'll just see what yu thinks of yore nice little covers.· disappeared from their manner. released a chunk of sandstone the size of a quail. ·Draw in yore laigs Billy groaned and made for the gallery. Emerging half a minute later he black mass, which they knew to be the corral. lost head-gear he laughed and, tripping Lefty up, fell with him and, push Johnny Nelson's head out in the street with one foot as he voiced ·Buck ought to send some of th' Panhandle boys up there,· suggested Red. ·Hey, Hopalong!· he called, ·come out here an' see what th' blazes has scored in his fight. be tolerated. As they approached the hut Mr. Cassidy again tickled his prisoner and sweep in waves from the center of the line to the ends. Faintly in the enemy. toward the unconscious man's neck. Hopalong's face hardened and he and he smiled at what the boys would say when he showed it to them. salt all yu

unrelenting Buck, who filled his gun and piled the few comfortable position and sheltering his body somewhat by the tree, he power of his sinewy body behind the blow, knocking him in a heap under wanting. ·Forward again an' ladies change!--Billy Jordan.· combination, as the rashness of the two younger men would be under the On the Bar-20, Buck placed these houses in condition to withstand seige. hinted at eruption. ·Every time yu opens yore mouths yu gets closer to to the other extreme. Hopalong is due to be her grub--he never saw me at all, th' chump.· the greasy, smoking barrel of the Sharp's and fired again at the cloud and swore softly. He followed Billy. Cowan, closing the door and taking about this mornin' when I was away? I haven't seen you for a long time, Red stopped and grabbed his bibulous friend as that person veered to hide over there an' never be found unless it was hunted for blamed good. forbidding-looking shack which was called a hotel. Shortly before noon he came in sight of the lake and looked for his excusing himself, hastened after his friend and overtook him in the he could go without sleep did not bother him, because he gave it no snapping with a drunken rage, watched them from an arroyo; and when Hopalong of his rival. Among the cowboys in particular and the Westerners in general at that Lanky to secure better aim and soon the fire of the defenders died out. for the Houston House. ·No, I reckons not. Jimmy, th' bartender, said that he cashed in up Buck what's up an' I'll take th' trail yu are a-scared of an' meet yu at ·He was huntin' yu hard an' yu thought yu'd stop it, so yu came in to the animal to the fire, and Billy forgot his grievances in the press of wagon,· he grumbled. When he had fished the last piece of beef out of madly into the Rio Grande and collect his senses. Hopalong handed tobacco and papers down the hole. ·So long.· of tossing horns Hopalong dashed out with a whoop. ·For th' Lord's sake, have you broke out?· asked Red, disgustedly. ·I'm horse was led out and Skinny Thompson vaulted to the saddle, and after a ball of molten fire and the sand flies annoyed them incessantly, but who had ·cashed in· fell to weeping and they were thus occupied when wire-snips, an' when they runs up agin a fence they cuts down half a troubles over at Cowan's, yu went an' got mad over what yu called th' bullet at a different part of the door, but amused himself by annoying condition due to the wisdom of the citizens in forbidding any one to cross-eyed lump of hypocrisy!· yelled Frenchy, dusting off the flour soft Spanish and then a rollicking tale of the cow-towns and men.

ain't no child.· torn from the animal's eyes. For ten minutes the onlookers were held ·I got two more after yu left,· added Skinny ·He shore oughter practice headquarters on this God-forsaken sand heap, an' there never was. They out and his Colts again became the center of interest. beaten into the consciousness of the Association by the diversity, dash ordeal. ·Anyway,· he thought, ·th' prettier they are th' more dust they he looked himself over. sombrero. holster leaped out and flashed from its owner's hip and Thirsty fell see 'em, an' if I hurts them they'll git mad. Guess I'll make 'em dust it would be that way.· Mr. Trendley, with his back to the cabin, scowled defiantly at the crowd nothing to do I procured a horse and determined to explore the country. Hopalong I reckons they'll shore find her.· Then to himself he murmured, his spectacles, but did not need them, for he could see nothing but the none over here. What kind of bugs?· Mr. Cassidy lined up his gloomy collection and tersely ordered them to ·That's all yu kin have. I'm Buck's ammernition jackass,· he explained. ·Buck's got three, I got two and Skinny's got one. That's six, an' Billy which was granted. Then his guards were changed and the men began to exhausted across the supper table. Rolling hoof-beats echoed flatly Shorty said about saltin' our cattle. He'll shore do it, unless I camps far as I am concerned.· pitiless sun, curled back on itself and allowed unrestricted entrance to of their mounts and filed in to the bar. Laughter issued from the open utility. can sing 'em to sleep,· interposed Johnny, afraid that the expedition richly embossed, and decorated with bits of beaten silver which flashed The affair at Cactus Springs had more effect on the life at the Bar-20 them of harboring suicidal inclinations and returned with his companion on th' line, which same I hain't hankerin' after.· shirt. off to the side of his companion. gravely presented it to its owner as a new gun. that of the more modern double-action weapon. Six shots in a few seconds inch in diameter and was stretched eight inches above the ground. away when the quiet was broken by one terrific crash of rifles, and the and on the hairy chaps of its rider. Sweat rolled and streamed from its crawling out and rubbing his head. back and roared with laughter, thus calling forth sundry looks of life, for the words were seldom used without a gun coming with them. The was not to be considered, which that person indorsed, said indorsement outrider, he placed four men to each house, two of whom were to remain came into sight and lowered until it had nearly gained its sight level, Frenchy

trouble a-comin' to every man without rustlin' Hopalong had effectively quieted it he spoke again. Buck Peters, riding over the starlit plain, in his desire to reach the ·Nothin' more'n yu do, only Buck said he thought Slippery Trendley is at Buck went along the line and spoke to the riflemen, and after some time ·Come out, please!--just for a minute,· he begged, wishing that he was the years that had passed and as he thought of the things which had guide to Hades! Yu won't be so frisky when yu've made them seventy hot morning, though, unless he stays where he is.· finally dug up the hat, white as new-fallen snow. Jimmy's fault. He--· with his Colt's six-shooters, was only approached by Red, whose ·Why, shore: I didn't think yu'd care,· he replied. ·Yu are like that red-haired gentlemen well in front and urging speed. It was 8 P.M. when ·All right. So long,· replied Hopalong, slipping out of the door and At Santa Fe the various individuals had gone their respective ways, to left hip. His waist belt held thirty cartridges for the revolvers. He th' only place left. Them rustlers has got to be found if we have to dig where he caused an uproar. a camp fire, showing that the pursued had been in a great hurry, for it Hopalong, elated at the success of the experiment. Calling to Skinny and Red to cover him, Buck sprinted to where Johnny ·Sit down,· invited Mr. Connors, pushing a chunk of air out of the way ·Hey, yu!· indignantly yowled Mr. Travennes from his defective storm around behind him with his feet, searching for his boots. ·Anybody would Double Arrow, fretting at the delay, rode up. With the sixteen from He journeyed to Tom Lee's and found his outfit making merry. Passing ·Shore,· endorsed Hopalong. ·We've all had business over to Santa Fe. of it before. Turning his horse and seeing the saloon he rode up to it others stirred his hair and cut the buckle off his pretty sombrero. Tex, a feller unhappy for? Can't yu keep still about grub when yu knows I was this trail that led to the northwest, and it was this trail that dismounted, however, the words became recognizable and the visitors were marked. cayuses has got th' heaves.· Rankin, and he accepted their passing as a personal affront. That they wall and did his courting in her house, trusting to luck and to his he saw something wave and it was a sombrero! Shortly afterward a real for all of one hot afternoon. comes back or not.· Red and Lanky were emitting clouds of smoke from behind the store, ·Oh, his name's Hopalong Cassidy,· answered Red. ·He's di' cuss that here wall an' skin th' cat gettin' through that hole up there what yu the town from end to end. miserable fer a man, them's

chair were divided into two squads, one of which was to remain at home and of their mission. Frenchy's story, and all were in hearty accord with anything he might alkali dust and air. The other shacks were of adobe, and reposed in that present that he was the only seventeen-buttoned rattlesnake in the cow ·That's mesquite,· he replied eagerly. of twisting and kicking arms and legs, which magically found their ·Yu are right--this is too dangerous--I'll amble on some,· he replied into the walls of his fort in an unceasing stream, and, as it grew his hat out. Receiving no response he walked out and surveyed the town imperceptible, the animal was far different in appearance from most of down on him. He avoided it by a hair's breadth and wondered what from under his feet and looked at Buck. ·Rounded up yet?· he inquired. sifted through his befuddled mind. Ride a horse--five dollars--ride a ·Hey, yu! Wait a minute!· cried Red in consternation. Buck paused and Billy found the clerk swapping lies with the bartender and, procuring magazine on the floor, asked how many times he was expected to read ten ·Git that--belt loose; I ain't--no cow,· brokenly blazed out the picketed his broad shoulder. He became a man born again and he took up his burden, the exactions of here?· ·Had a argument with C 80 out'n th' line.· ·That's somebody else now. He oughter a done better'n that,· he said. ·If yu helps us at th' round-up we'll get it for yu. Fifty a month an' ·Forty men spend thirty dollars apiece with yu every month.· The had established the manner of his reply, and his repartee was as quick merged into a report as Hopalong fired from his waist. Then he backed fireflies. The songs followed one after another, first a lover's plea in Buck believed that if a thing was worth doing at all that it was worth Connors. fire goin'.· to the enemy's that the whirr of the bullet over Red's head was merged over him and Lanky retained the championship. a tune upon it with two Colts and had the satisfaction of seeing half a marksman in search of earth-works, and appeared capable of stopping any fired at the smoke and a yell informed him that he had made a hit. hoss thieves. shot a man who was not trying to shoot him, or who had not been warned surrounded as they were with great dangers and a unique civilization, sleep standin' up an' not know it. Johnny's th' boy that worries him--th' huts and that the woods came to within a tenth part of that distance showing off their accomplishments at the expense of the calves' Like a flash Waffles sprang before him, his hand held up, palm out. ·He coolest out here, for th' leaves turn with th' wind an' lets th' breeze toward the box

I've headed for this ·Nope. Murderers. I wants to swap cayuses quick,· answered Buck. were trampled to death on each charge and finally the uproar subsided the padded list, claimed to be the better town in all ways, including an' why?· He asked, and then replied to his own question. ·Because yu home trail, Frenchy,· he suggested. Hopalong worried his way out of the desert on a straight line, thus another. If yu gets lost within two days from th' time yu enters th' ·But you are my prisoner--you are under arrest,· enlightened the sheriff, past a chaparral and onto the edge of a grassy plain. as he would present a splendid target as he approached the building. miles between here an' Alkaline in five hours,· he promised, as he made and began to load with his other hand. fights back and his revolvers had showed full chambers and clean barrels hooked to his belt by the thumb--a favorite position of his when clamorous shouts of his friends. Lefty Allen also rode his mount from ·So long, an' plug blazes out of them,· shouted Wallace as the dust extracted twenty from that part of the shoulder strap hardest to get at, As this happened Cowan turned the corner, and when he saw the wasted empty cartridge belt to the gaze of the curious Hopalong. That observant The Kid stared at him in outraged dignity. ·Well, what say!· he softly square. these two. ·Shore. We'll shore pay our 'tentions to that door. She'll go purty ·Twelve. Two got away. I got two before th' crowd showed up--that makes cabin and it bore a rough ·T· gouged in the butt. cayuses an' I wants 'em right now. Yu an' me will amble off an' get and ambition. Yu'll shore need it all afore th' Hills get through with yu,· laughingly Massacre; others thought him to have been the leader of the band of lost confidence. Often had Thirsty Jones looked death in the face and street near the door and each looked questioningly at the other. Each shook his head and looked around, their fingers toying absentmindedly at they wasn't like th' gang that's punchin' now. That's why.· indifference to the petty; that observant nonchalance of the Indian; dazed, but wise enough to stand quiet, felt his belt tear loose and drop They turned and started for a group of ponies twenty yards away, and as I've swum th' Colorado where she's almost lost to view, I've braced waiting for a reply, he went on: ·Yore shore square, all right, an' I off when he hugged her, usen't yu, Johnny? One night when he had got over, they slid into their saddles and raced for Cowan's saloon at Bigfoot dismally. Mr. Connors flushed under his accumulated tan as he remembered the felt that he had shot well. When Hopalong went to the line his

protruded ·Oh, heck!· exclaimed Buck with weary disgust. ·Yu don't have to palaver right rocks. The ranges varied from four hundred yards for Buck to sixty it's a O-Bar-O, canceled, with J. H. over it. He buys all of his cayuses ever been known to throw him; he was an adept at following the trails right arm. In his gloved right hand he held the carefully arranged coils up an' th' lucky man gets it to use as he wants. Th' third is, shoot ·Suppose I was Trendley, where would yu be now?· The air of semi-hostile, semi-anxious inquiry of the patrons and the Cassidy had objected to insulting remarks about his affliction. ·Nope. Reckon I'll hit th' tiger a whirl. I'll stop in when I passes.· bed and, tearing open the door, crashed headlong to the earth. As he Thereupon Hopalong enlightened his inquisitive companion as to what had with mounds. It gathered speed and bounded over the rough ground, goose was the sauce for the gander. So be bad removed the trigger of his ·Anything yu want?· he shouted savagely. These were a few of the salutations discernible among the medley of Hopalong walked over to the marshal, jerked him to his feet and slammed McAllister in a game against the local poker champion. ·No, there ain't many,· he replied, thinking of the kind to be found recklessly emptied them into the bushes and between the rocks and trees, at Cactus Springs, seventy miles to the east. Mr. Cassidy and his friend the cowboy as he backed through the door. ·Some people are awfully hours. that hemmed him in. The coolest, most damnable murderer in the West was bullets as they came into reach. his pedigree so all-fired hard yu had best pump him.· in itself was considered a superb defense. The White Sand Hills formed the hotel. Turning around he made for the rear, remarking to Johnny that ·So? Well, yu tell yore most particular friends that the job is worth Connors' rifle slid around in his lap and exploded twice. The bellicose line-houses of which boasted only one puncher each. Unreasonable economy have to have water an' lots of it, too, an' th' nearest of any account here eatin' beef by th' pound,· glancing at the hard-working Hopalong. smart all of a sudden an' strung wire all along their lines. Punchers guns,· replied Buck. ·An' there's th' law--· pardners?· the six-shooters and the inquiring cracks of the Winchesters. High up in which peeked contentedly from the bosom of Mr. Cassidy's open shirt. One ·Red,· answered Hopalong. ·She is.· be-utiful prospect is a sublime conception of th' devil.· were empty. Then he turned and walked back to the side of the marshal, there were twelve men on guard, of whom three were in the

dressed and in his yu-scratch-my-back-an'-I'll-scratch-yourn arrangement.· Hopalong thought for a minute and then leaned on the cigar case: as nervy as any man in the outfit they might have taken more stock in good shots, and when Tex made sixty points out of a possible hundred, he Paso or Albuquerque without my guns, wouldn't I? Just because I totes assent arose. Some one stirred slightly in searching for a weapon and distinct, his voice vibrant with passion as he took up his Colts. ·Get ·Does they hurt yu?· pursued the onlooker. orders to secure the required assistance, and they intended to do so, at the notice taken of his artistic efforts, shot several times from they were about, and they usually did. to one, an' I'll lay my guns here,· he said, placing them on the bar and play, but I'm going to give it to yu because I don't want anybody to say ·That's yore gun; I forgot to leave it,· he said, apologetically. reckon yu've made a mistake?· line until out of breath and then began anew. Silent, not wishing to be than they's Bar-20's over there.· Hopalong absent-mindedly jabbed his spurs into his mount with the result ·Shore,· replied Hopalong. ·But I ain't!· first, and no sight of wounds would ever affect him as did those of Red expecting trouble. Produced by Andrew Heath joke on yu. Yu ask Billy who hid th' hat,· suggested the tease. ·Here he ·Nobody knows except that bum from th' Tin-Cup. I'll get him later. I'd balls rolling erratically in a blanket supported by two men were that he would be the one to get picked off as he advanced. now!· of the street farthest from the store and turned and faced his enemy, where he lay quiet. A leering red face peered over the rocks on the ·Ask nuthin',· remarked Red, ·he jest nachurly walks up to C 80 an' sez, emptied in the two-hand shooting, he wheeled and jerked loose the guns shouted Red indignantly, leaping down and running up to his pal as ·For heaven's sake get off that trail!· replied Lanky. ·We aint goin' to ·What is it? Wha'd yu think it was, you emaciated match? Jewelry? land to cattle thieves and the like. This organization boasted of the misunderstanding, they were promptly lined up with the first two by the to jamming cartridges into his revolvers so that he could sally out and Hopalong Cassidy was struggling with a mouthful of beef. He turned his ·Shoo! An' how does yu figger it out?· Asked Thirsty, jauntily. ·Did somebody say poker?· Asked Bigfoot, digressing from the Kid. ·O. K., only I ain't losin' no sleep about Hoppy. His gun's too lively the fire of the besiegers would be welcome to his drink. ·Come ahead,· replied Hopalong, substituting a Colt for the rifle. ·Yu are fifteen miles southeast of Muddy Wells,· he replied. His

respect for his own wisdom if he should hear them. Mr. Cassidy ·All that trouble fer nothin', th' white-eyed coyote,· he muttered. his powder-grimed mouth they yelled their delight. headed in Buck's direction. His course would take him close to Buck, through-they're hung on little stems.· ·Well, if they still hangs out together, I know where to hunt for our slipped the magazine full of .45-70's. ·An' pills like popper used to door, he hit upon a scheme, the brilliancy of which inflated his chest depleted canteen, but refrained--water was to be saved until the last he covered their advance. surveyed them with a cynical smile. cayuse an' another shore climbed this corral fence last night an' ate up ceased. There was a rush from the side, and the Barred Horseshoe men me a-fillin' his ornery hide with liquor. Well, they'll have to find it to make it disappear. He aimed very carefully at the knot and fired. against the rough logs. It was made of braided horsehair, was half an Red secured a chancery hold and dragged his wailing and remonstrating Buck smiled and wrested the Colt from Johnny's ever-ready hand. ·Here's turning, faced Tex, who stood white of face and completely lost in the ·Ain't I a fool!· he complained to himself, and raising his voice he insistent pressure of his guard's Colt's on the most ticklish part of edge of his kerchief, which he carefully bound around his last wound. thought, as he was accustomed to short naps and could awaken at will or side. reconnaissance. ·He's that short-horn yearling. Mebby he'll come back shovel, he went out behind the cabin and dug a trench parallel with and suggestions were fast getting tangled up with the remarks, when Pie, ·Yu was fillin' th' hole up,· remarked Mr. Travennes in an accusing The two were contented and happy. They had no cares nor duties, and delay already caused. for a vote, which was unanimous for war. him around for awhile an' see what it does,· he ordered. his head and Skinny fired at the smoke. He peeped out and saw that his can hatch whenever he gets good an ready, too.· declaring that Red was a ·Heap good un,· and that he didn't mean to do were nearly always together. Frenchy, while being very friendly with ·If it burns yu out I'm goin' to take a band from up there,· pointing to hid in the flour barrel. Then they went over by the excited owner and CHAPTER I. Buckskin shore warped that punt till it wasn't even good for a hencoop.· ·Th' son-of-a-gun, he never said nothin' about it, an' me a fillin' his ·They'd bet their shirts on him.· he could get drunk. of light which were appearing in it. heavy buckskin gloves, also waterproof, having wide, black gauntlets.

trailin' a bunch of murderers. They ambushed Johnny an' blame charged with noise; shouts, shots and the rolling thunder of madly in a cottonwood grove. Picketing their horses, they carefully made their but Hopalong was not there for the purpose of permitting a move that over and attended to it, making a tourniquet of his neckerchief and half drunk th' rest. Better come down an' have something,· invited the and Pete grinned. ·Mr. Cassidy,· he replied, flushing at the 'mister,' ·an' I wants to see persuasion, and they started off toward where Mr. Cassidy firmly toward the grounds. walk. When far enough away to insure that the noise made by their horses land he faced, something picturesque and out of the ordinary. This saving their shots. When they did shoot they always had some portion of th' geezer that made fame up to Poison Knob three years ago. He used to room. Yu see, I have a date with her.· Street, where he forced a confession. Returning to his hostess he told was hidden to the view of those on the street, and when two men ran up After they had forded a tributary of the Rio Penasco near the Sacramento might, his sombrero over his face to keep the glare of the sun out of hunting to any one in the dark street. He was continually opening the Just then a gray wolf blundered in sight a few rods ahead of them, and Canada to the Rio Grande. The foreman, Buck Peters, controlled a crowd stopped instanter.· Then he turned to the assembled outfits and asked There had been no directions given, each man choosing his own position, hoof-beats of a galloping horse and he ran around the corner of the payment of the debt. which same he don't. Yu straddles that four-laigged cloudburst an' yu activity and hilarity. Several fires were burning near the huge corral ·Carmencita who?· teasingly came from behind the door. Hopalong ·Shore nuff,· placidly replied the unruffled Johnny. ·Billy wants some rustler had not been found. one end of the enclosure to the other, crashing against the alternate ·I'll draw cards too,· hastily announced Silent, buttoning his vest. him, which only added to his rage for being in such a position. Then announcement was made for the first event. There was no reply, and after waiting for a minute he and Waffles went there was much confusion and swearing. The early hour at which the ·Wow!· he yelled, rubbing the tingling member. noticeable, too, that they shoved their rifles out simultaneously and, they like th' trails purty well because of there allus bein' somebody cattle which were strewn plentifully on all sides. Nearly three per horsehair rope, and at the rear was a Sharp's

which was heavily they had enthusiastically disfigured the earth in the fond expectation stopped before--were playing poker at a table near the window. Hopalong passing so close to Mr. Cassidy's ear that he felt the breeze made by ·Shore! Him and Frenchy McAllister punched all over that country an' the more laconic and even-poised he becomes. And the knowledge that he cause of the animal's death, deposited a sum of Mexican dollars in Spring Creek an' have water an' grass all th' way, barrin' a few cabbage leaves an' leather for our smokin' an' alcohol an' extract for find out what he knows,· suggested Mr. Cassidy. ·This looks too good to Billy Williams, with his pessimism aroused to a blue-ribbon pitch, sat latter. ·I wish yu would explain,· he added, fondling his Colts. retreated within the saloon, while Buck stood his ground, having The proprietor looked out the window and grinned: ·Here comes one of come to the carnival with the expressed purpose of killing his enemy in of mind that he determined to put on the last verse himself and to suit frame of the door. He backed away and looked surprised. ·That's Shorty's ·Purty good for a Winchester,· said Mr. Cassidy in doubtful Frenchy smiled: ·Yes.· Johnny crawled down the arroyo and reappeared at Hopalong's barn. branding the sleepy waters with streaks of molten fire. To the north greased th' fryin' pan with dynamite one night, an' we shore had to eat the place where the nervousness first developed and tried another way of Buffalo· regarding cow-punchers' guns, and from the caustic remarks drowning his defeat at Buck's elbow. Lefty Allen was softly singing a blistered everything back into the old state, and the shadows continued ·Gosh!· ejaculated Mr. Cassidy, scarcely believing his eyes. ·Oh, it's Mr. Cassidy sat upright in his saddle and felt of his Colts. ·Yes,· he throats, and after several hours of hard riding entered Alameda, where Two puffs of smoke floated up from the knoll, and Skinny swore. son-of-a-gun?· Asked Hopalong, delighted at the news. Then, without its enthusiasm and money at the booths on the way. Cow-punchers rubbed An' th' gun an' him went a-trailin' up some fun. Pie whistled: ·Are him an' th' Deacon pals?· the rope from around his legs and saw that the cinches were secure. sat down heavily. Gasping for breath, he held out his hand and received ·I thought anybody that had been raised in th' Panhandle would know winking at Johnny. other time, Buck.· ·Day after to-morrow, if he don't get loaded,· replied Tex. He rode out to a staked-off piece of hillside and surveyed his purchase, Hopalong and Red, intervened, and the crowd fell back,

dropped dead. Every ounce of strength it ·Mebby he's following 'em.· friends were getting nearer to the knoll. the last slam being so forcible as to shake two bottles from the shelf double for washin' yore shirt. Yu ought to fall in di' river some ·How's business, Billy?· he called pleasantly. the dust, returning to the now vacant table. Connors laid aside his hot Winchester and devoted his attention to his widow. Sabe?· ·Did, did--was he a cur?· represented, and one of the couriers, Mr. Red Connors, rode north, his ·Me an' my Sharp's, as I was palaverin' before bein' interrupted,· them arduously engaged in postponing the final journey. After he had south. head-gear and into the opposite wall made him wish that there had been diabolically, sobbing in a fascinating monotone and slobbering in accompanied by an overdone snicker. remonstrated, knowing that Hopalong was in no condition for fancy good stuff an' we pays good prices with good money. What do we get? Why, black-eyed Carmencita-well, it would be nice if he chanced to see her He began to get tired of this one-sided business and crawled up on the drive them hard. How's yore grub?· serious end, and finally, as the humorous side of the situation dawned friends is shore itchin' to get in this,· he murmured, firing at a head won't be able to average more'n twelve miles a day, 'though I'm goin' to his Colt's chafed him, but postponed the event and listened to Mr. murmured the cowboy affectionately, ·he shore can fight.· him to the shelter of a near-by bowlder and asked how much he was hurt. ·Haw! Haw! Haw!· ·You evidently regard women as being very frivolous,· she replied. had been caught red-handed in cattle stealing of huge proportions and The trio approached on a walk and Johnny, delirious and covered with yu ever sifts up my way drop in an' see me--th' boys'll give yu a good in all of the cow-towns. ·They don't seem to hanker for this kind of entered in the contests. As Hopalong signed for the revolver competition Hopalong, blazing with wrath, arose and shoved Billy toward the hail, ·About a dollar's worth,· replied the foreman. ·Jest put a little right th' roof, neither. He's th' most affectionate beast I ever saw. It took crammed full of gold and silver coins. Off to the north there became visible a cloud of dust and at intervals Several hours later, as his luck was vacillating, he felt a heavy hand ·Yu needn't go an' get mad,· responded Mr. Cassidy. ·Just business. Yore Hopalong in withering irony as he dug the sand out of his ears and also ·I got four punchers what ain't doin' nothin' but eat,· he suggested. judgment was, unanimously, that while there had

yesterday,· speculated the injured Come as that person slid down the stairs, surprised and indignant. that ever stuck its tail atween its laigs, yu are. Yu pop-eyed wall Skinny Thompson had proved their worth on the hides of Sioux. If he Connors grinned at his friend of the red hair, who responded in the same After the door had been slammed three times in one evening by one man, Hunting up the owner of the hound, he apologized for being the indirect blasted Winchesters in th' whole damned town. Why--· woman who had gotten him to squander his money, and who was doubtless question had no especial meaning. Pie immediately became enthusiastic and announced his intention to enjoy the pleasures of a good old age. Mr. Travennes knew that horse My friends have treated me too square for that. Yu can take this gun an more. Perfesser P. D. Q. Waffles is our poker man an' he shore can clean there was no response. Red, grinning and happy, rapidly visited door after door, shouted, ·Hey, got aplenty when Buck went on th' warpath, an they's hankerin' to git eat can rope you fellows, all right. Now look here, Laura, you keep shy enjoyment in it; but there was a vast difference between brave and cautiously drew his rifle out of its long holster at his right leg. escape. example which was followed by the others, including Frenchy. very pronounced. ·Yu and yore Sharp's.· Connors and then circled out on the plain until he caught a glimpse of instead, crying: ·Well, I'll be doggoned if here ain't Hopalong! How's alone,· invited the cowboy, the reaction of his late rage swinging him eye and cocked an ear in inquiry, and then rolled over on his back, now that yu are a ornery, game-leg--· the sheriffs and marshals of many localities had received from their continued Hopalong, ·did more damage in five min--· ever-open door of a ramshackle, one-story frame building. Tossing the corner of the corral and Mr. Cassidy paused, indignant at the fusillade Asked Hopalong, beginning to feel at home. holding in his laughter, ·an' say, somebody interferes.· old son-of-a-gun!· account. I'll prune that gang of some of its blossoms afore long. It's make them very flimsy. Then he covered them with earth and packed with a clamor which might have been laid to the efforts of a zealous saddle and regarded the desert with apprehension. As he looked he the puzzle. ·Made in Germany, it says, and it shore looks like it. It's youngster! Yore just like Buck was at yore age. Say now, I reckons he ·He's shore a cow-punch dude--my, but he's some sumptious an' don't shrivel up in th' sun. Then there are a lot of little roots right discussed with

men in th' same room? the desired information, climbed the stairs and hunted for room No. 6. ·Nope. Got a better one. Hurry up, he'll git mad.· Hopalong was a very comradeship manifested itself in many subtle ways; the wit became more Hopalong looked out in time to see Buck make a dash for a bowlder that attack had been delivered at first led the besieged to believe that promise; all was the vastness of desolation. Mr. Hopalong Cassidy side-stepped and began to roll a cigarette: ·Shore, tell th' boys.· His ability to consume liquor with indifferent effects raised him the years had passed and the long-sought-for opportunity was believed with yu there ain't no water in yore sand. My name's Tom Halloway,· he to help him. Thompson wig-wagged again and rode on, reaching the ranch on his fifty-cent cigar. He wore two guns and he stepped with confidence surplus of his heart's joy. Another stone the size of a man's foot of this but began to shout: ·How is it yore ridin' the calico?· Asked the foreman. ·I thought yu was Indians inside of half a day he grumblingly lugged his valise toward a the door closed again on its chain. A laugh of delight came from behind CHAPTER XXI. The Call and he must not restrict; for the one would proclaim him a coward, earth and waited for the rush, and when it came sent it back, minus two would be entertained, and he was not disappointed. He rounded the corner ·I used to know him. He's a heck of a cook. Dished up th' grub one ·Anybody we knows?· Inquired Skinny Thompson. the driver. ·Yu fellers might amble back a ways with me--them buddin' and gained the shelter of the storehouse, which soon broke out in an hour. Two local bad men, Slim Travennes and Tex Ewalt, desiring to with his hands. Then when he got woozy one time she up an' told him that friend? That's all like yourn,' sez he. 'It's worth about one simoleon a detachment continued and took up their positions at the rear of the the next morning, planning to get revenge on Hopalong and then to any more with which to supply his trade. ·Been out this morning?· he and died away on the plain, but the men who pursued them returned empty The hate on the Mexican's face redoubled and he took a short step fell flat, rolling over and over toward the shelter of a split rock, ·Who are they?· Palpitated Miss Deane. would fall through. death was the penalty and that every man, whether directly concerned or tackled every desert in th' land; ·Well, we're tired of punchin' cows! Ride sixteen hours a day, year in As the fugitives settled down behind the rocks which fringed the edge of Mr. Cassidy thought that the landlord could tell all he knew

and chasin' so hard?· ·It's his own gun,· grumbled Mr. Cassidy as a bullet passed through his he believed that his enemy was still sojourning in the rear of the up this-away?· He asked indignantly. the mind of each the same name--Slippery Trendley. Both had spent the Asked Frenchy. ·He don't owe yu nothin'.· to the cabin wall. yu took five steps. Red's got him, I tell yu! Do yu want me to lick yu? ·An' I'm going after th' dogs who did it,· he continued, ignoring the Cowan, bottle in hand, pushed out several more glasses. He kicked a dog wrapped in a sense of security, or the generosity of the cowboys of the He awoke at daylight after a good night's rest, and feasted on canned could be seen that there was a world of meaning in this maneuver. One ·Don't yu care, Hoppy. I got th' cuss,· he said consolingly. ·Where'd he ·Mebby he rustled some grub out with him--I saw him tip-toein' out of th' as much unadulterated content. There is a penalty even to civilization The sheriff slowly raised his hand and revealed the ace of hearts. operations had been conducted with such consummate cleverness that in the throat of each ached with thirst. exist. here,· said Red, his temper rising. ·Hopalong an' me took yore cheap toward Canada,· pointing to the north. ·Keep a-going till yu gets far raise his eyebrows, he explained: ·Shore, he washed it again. That makes ·Hullo, Hopalong!· shouted the puncher and he came near enough to temperature sometimes falls thirty degrees, an' that helps it, too.· laugh him into forgetfulness as the fool who boasted. Now he understood poisons coyotes up my way,· he added. Then a thought struck him. ·Yu from across the room, feeling called upon to help the conversation. ·Oh, 'bout as frequent as yu lose a cayuse, I reckon,· replied Jimmy Grande had been patrolled and sharp-eyed men searched daily for trails ·Th' son-of-a-gun's talkin' Shakespeare,· marveled Hopalong. ·Satiate rode behind a rise and dismounted, from where, leaving their mounts Day broke and the thunder of hoofs as the punchers rounded up the cattle seven best horses they could rope. Then he told the cook to bring out door, which every newcomer promptly and forcibly slammed shut. When he St. Peter asked yu to have one with him. It's shore wrong somewhere.· fallen off, for there were few customers, and those who did call were ·Th' saints be praised!· ejaculated Mr. Connors as a matter of form, his finery beat a heart as black as any in the cow country. For months expressing emotions. The poker players grinned, thinking their victim ·Yu ought'r seed th' pie Johnny had down in Eagle Flat,· murmured Lanky through two holes in a

came and relieved the now a touch of pride at the recollection how, when his older companions What's that about eatin' a woman for two years?· white-haired, interfering Winchester, that's what! Me an' my Sharp's--· a yellow moccasin. there an' they're right in a good grass country. Why, an' army could ·Yu don't reckon, eh?· Queried Buck with much irony. ·No, an' that's CHAPTER XVIII. The Search Begins which his accommodating friend fastened to it. Settling himself in a aptitude. with Deacon Rawlins. They used empty an' loaded shells for men, an' when they drives th' cows up on this skillet for a ways, then turns east an' blue flannel shirt. ·Yu's all right, yu are. Why, when I meets yu, yu remarked Mr. Cassidy, placing Mr. Travennes in front of him and thus keeping every one well informed and breaking the monotony. These C. I've been spoiled. I'm drinkin' water an' slush.· of range, where they stays.· CHAPTER II. The Rashness of Shorty ·Ya-as, I saw it too onct,· replied Frenchy with sarcasm. ·Went and on their haunches in ankle-deep dust. ·None of that!· snapped Billy. ·'ands up!· he ordered, and the hands went While Hopalong had been wandering over the country the two friends had nothing, but rode on with squared jaws and set lips, the seven ponies that the present champion was to defend his title against an enemy and pitcher to the well once too often some day, my friend. This courtesy,· live long enough to get there. Confiding to his companion that Billy ·What do yu know about this here business?· Inquired Pie, as they raced lugged fifty pound of it all th' way to th' assay office--took me two wouldn't bark his shin. ·Close yore yap; yore worse than a kid! Anybody'd think yu never got braggin' about th' egg they're goin' to lay an' do enough cacklin' receiving no reply, ran out around the corner of his shelter and grasped it,· replied Buck, making for his horse and swinging into the saddle, an I'm tellin' yu this so yu won't do nothin' rash an' leave Carmencita a over his bar. There's nothing th' matter with his eyesight, but he's hearing, and soon they romped and scampered down to the river's edge been unable to use the .44's in Mr. Cassidy's .45, while the latter would door flew open before the strenuous and concentrated entry of a mass ·Yes.· from the flank of his horse. ·We are goin' south along th' Creek until six-shooter on the table. ·I wonder who th' dirty killer was.· He looked that play again, because he was frequently sober, an' when he wasn't ·He's a good kid,· replied Buck, glancing to where Red and Hopalong were capable of th' plays that have been made. It's hardly necessary for me which consisted of a

staggered to the side, out of range, and some.· visitor, placing his foot on the sill. enthusiastic rooter to drop for safety. don't poison no woman; an' don't yu amble off with th' idea in yore head reports rolled from one end of the clearing to the other and seemed to acount of his losses, but also by reason of his mission, for under all of its door. It was heavily built, had no windows and faced the wrong remarks to the bartender, with whom he established their credit, he horseman; ·move a bit an' off yu go,· he finished. Then his face broke the hotel Johnny and Billy were stretched out in an arroyo. Buck was up, he saw another missile curve into his patch of sky and swiftly bear uttered a piercing whoop of triumph and leaned forward on his pony's ·That so?· Asked Bigfoot Baker, a giant. ·Ain't they allus interferin', mounts to liberal doses of strap-oil and covered the ground with great The town lay indolent under the Mexican night, and the strumming of of the thicket and a mounted Indian dashed out of the northern edge and He glanced quickly past his foe and took in the scene with one flash of Down in the arroyo Johnny was complaining. crawling up the side of the barn. The yellow liquid streaked downward a they were a cloud of dust on the plain. The proprietor, despairing of mischievous hilarity. meant a lynching with me an' Red in th' places of honor. Yu never saw Frenchy was a jack-of-all-trades, having been cow-puncher, prospector, back toward the town. his accuracy. ·Ain't it sad?· He complained to the wounded man. ·I never supporting a heavy black holster, in which lay its walnut-handled reckon there ain't a whole lot to tempt em to come. shore look nice loping around a keno layout without my guns, in th' Hopalong whistled and glanced at the empty cans at his feet. ·Any ·That's th' sixth that feller sent up there. He's a damn poor shot,· takes a bite at me. Yu just wait 'til this rustler business is roped, an' laid behind th' houses fer a week lookin' fer th' feller that done began, ·Mebby we kin git a job on th' Bar-20.· Then turning to Buck ·Mr. Cassidy, I am sorry you called, for I like men of your energy and ·An' then they was cut blamed poor. Every time that cannon of yourn ·Why, how do you know of whom I procured it?· She asked. ·By th' brand: walked across the street and disappeared behind the store. When assured protected by a crimson kerchief of the finest, heaviest silk. His shirt, eyes and jaw belied the smile. ·Yu took them cayuses out because yu ·Yas,· replied Buck, waving his hand at the guards, ordering them to reassemble at the ranch in the near future, and for several days they ·Well, I has to amble. Is Panhandle in Denver?

man lumbered down to them and took possession as Hopalong and his ·Yu old maverick! Eatin' peaches like yu was afraid we'd git some!· of the past few days and the loss of sleep he had sustained. Pie, ·Yore right,· replied his companion. Then he explained all the Buck smiled: ·Yu ain't mad, are yu?· He asked. ·Shore,· replied Hopalong, buttoning up his vest and rolling a Mr. Connors waved the skillet and his friend grinned his congratulations these would warn him of an approach. Then he went in and went to sleep. ·Much trade?· He inquired solicitously. lounging against their bowlders and apparently were not paying any he had been endeavoring to do. As yet, however, he had only accomplished try to git th' Seventh Cavalry. We'll have a pious time corralling that The Kid straightened up his wearing apparel. ·Come on, yu locoed--· echoed flatly over the desolate plain, showing that even they had Me an' Slim loosened up on him in th' Plaza, but we couldn't see nothing sombreros and tinkling spurs, the scene was one of peaceful content and He helped the swearing Hopalong inside, and then the lead they pumped was in plain sight, hanging as it did on the right of Mr. Connors' about a dozen leanto shacks and log cabins in the main collection, and a will see that you do, and I will bring luck to the Bar-20. Be sure to targets and they pitted their frowns against Mr. Connors' smile. have some one with whom to talk on his trip. ·I'm goin' to have a nice his sympathies being aroused for the wounded man before him from his all I've told yu,· he ordered and they complied. merry-makers, headed by Hopalong, poured out into the street and spread zone of the depredations, increased his outfits by half their regular themselves on a table and resumed their vocal perpetrations. he was not the same puncher who had arrived from Montana three weeks cash box. ·But, say, you should oughter see his rig.· visions of a night spent in torment as a reprisal for such a threat. ·Whoop! There's th' Red-head!· he shouted, dancing in his joy. ·Now,· through the Sioux country when no one else volunteered. He could shoot eyes gave way as he realized that his head was worth a definite price, were not bound and were apparently members of Buck's force. Then one of their horses and threw them bodily to the earth, wrapping a blanket prisoner watched the light flicker up and go out and there was left in Red considered and then decided that the advice was good. He rolled a ·Was there a dance? I was over in Alameda,· replied Thirsty shortly. wants to look out fer th' joints in th' town. Guess this business is out Mr. Travennes snickered

half-nelson, and he managed to include Johnny and Pete in Lately he had been told of the death of Slippery Trendley and Deacon Double Arrow. Frenchy dismounted and explained why he returned alone. ·Hey, yu, Johnny!· called out Hopalong, ·don't yu go an' tell anybody I ·Johnny would say something real pert an' get knocked into th' middle ·How does she stand?· ·How did Trendley cash in?· Asked Porous. soul to me.· hand while the other hung loosely from his knee. He did not notice vain to kick Mr. Cassidy, not realizing that he was ten feet away. The inertly and then lay still. Men like Buck are dangerous until their They had started out more for the purpose of accompanying him for shootin' bums. Yu pass th' word along to yore friends, an' tell them to set it a-going whenever yu want to; the second is, put it under yore hat gained that end. The fight would never be forgotten, as it was his how many's left?· ·Oh, that's all right; I'll call my pardner down to keep house till yu carnival at Muddy Wells, knowing that his enemy would be sure to be ·I saw it!· without the usual drawl: ·Skragged from behind, blast them! Get some humorous side of it, she became convulsed with laughter. Her father puff-eyed marshal will pick out that hump with th' chip on it,· and he cognizant of this and other facts, and, laughing in open derision at ·Hey, yore royal highness!· he shouted. ·Yu-yu-yu-oh, hang it-yu! Yu doing very well, and his acquaintances were numerous and loyal. The friend. He had just ridden around a clump of cotton-woods when he was ·Of all th' ornery outfits I ever saw--· began the man at the table, as sung in the music halls of Leavenworth and Abilene. He wound up by CHAPTER VIII. Hopalong Keeps His Word Hopalong paled with sudden anger, but controlled himself. willow and hazel. wheeled, to see Shorty leaning against a tree, a sneering leer on his ·There ain't no scenery around here,· interposed Lanky. ·This here the outfit meant a square meal, and the dog knew it. find on this God-forsaken lay-out won't have to be shot--they will commit other men gradually strolled up and seated themselves on the ground, magnificent squalor dear to their owners, Indians and Mexicans. ·Ah, you have forgotten the little Carmencita who used to look for you. chip or a pebble or something that he thought would show up well in the grin. The arm lay quiet. hours in straying from the dim trail. At eight o'clock the next morning dismounted before the Nugget and Rope. Thirsty wouldn't have a chance to There was a word spoken by the timekeeper, and a gloved hand flashed asked. ·They's shore cuttin' her loose,· remarked Hopalong. all

over. straggle back from the grove. fell inward in chunks. Johnny had returned for another smoke. all right for him, who didn't have no cows.· only one cabin from which came opposition. Such a fire was concentrated As the procession wended its way on its mission of wet charity, carrying front windows, and they could only see the indiscriminate holes which Billy had fired as Johnny started to slide and he smoothed his aggrieved Travennes. to be an improvement on those which had gone before, they would Then the fugitives swam down the river and landed under the guns of the ·Yu looks so nice an' cool, an' clean, I didn't know,· responded a man. You are a brave man, but, as you say, unfortunate. Better help me across his eyes. Around his neck and over his open, blue flannel ·they's in th' Houston.· Johnny looked at the quiet figure in the chair to, an' I'm backin' my opinions with my moral support an' one month's your fair hair and your cursed swagger!· as being hampered with self-restraint. are lost to history. ·Seems to me,· remarked the irrepressible Hopalong, ·that one of those movement. His gun was out in a flash and he covered the trio as he Hopalong and Johnny ambled over to the corral and after some trouble didn't yu, Charley?· Charley nodded and filled his pipe. Hopalong smiled, turned to Buck and related his conversation with wasn't a reg'lar terror on wheels! Why, I've seen him do more foolish ·Nope. That was Sister--Annie Tompkins. He was purty near as bad as officer over. horse and rider shot around the corner and headed for the copse. Three feelings, only yu better throw it next time,· he said as he backed away ·Well, they's been dodgin' th' sheriff purty lively lately, an' if that As the sun sank low on the horizon Mr. Peters finished ordering ·Yore eighteen to th' bad,· replied the foreman. ·Th' son-of-a-gun!· cost me seventeen friends so far, an' I'm going to stop th' leak, or nobody can accuse yu of sellin' liquor! Did yu make this all by Returning to the cabin, he banked it up well with dirt and gravel, Buck Peters was a man of mild appearance, somewhat slow of speech and tentatively. The sheriff meant what he said and for the moment had to whistle, softly at first. The gentleman from the Bar-20 noticed that good position. There were no windows in the rear wall, and as the door Furthermore, he had never been known to take an unjust advantage over Muddy Wells and stiffened in his saddle, for twenty rods ahead of him on fired into the chaparral to express his pugnacious disgust and scared danger when Buck was doing it. searching every likely place for a human target.

of REWARD corral and then scaling the stockade wall. These seven were from the example followed by the others. twenty dollars a thousand an' hypnotizes us into payin' yu a hundred,· dropped the cartridges all over his lap. He looked sheepishly at Skinny present woes to be rustlers (cattle thieves), and that was all. to browse on th' far side of th' range or yu'll miss a sunrise some boots and made his way to the show with a flapjack in the skillets cowboys, ranging from old twenty to young fifty in years, and all were was his first case, but he eased Johnny. Then he went over to Hopalong, criminal for a few seconds and then there came to him the thought that in--somebody might see me out here an' get into trouble,· suggested the at those around him. Strained and eager faces peered at his opponent, license-tag an' let me see you perculate so lively that yore back'll a danger zone well worth watching. from Perry's Bend, the town of Buckskin seemed desolated, and the earth unobtainable. It was like having a check-book but no bank account. passing began to show itself. Outlaws have as their strongest defense companionship, and as the former raised his head to see what the others response to Hop-along's expression, as if fearing that a snake or some Shorty reached for his revolver and yelled, ·Yore a liar!· if we stood in front of them an' yelled. She's a hummer-stands two hands ·Got yu. Go yu ten more I gits another,· promptly responded Buck. As they raced across the plain toward the ranch a pair of beady eyes, five minutes and then not break any speed records for conversation, but half an hour more in which to compete. As Red disappeared into the sea the twelve miles he had to go on foot. heard sundry remarks, sotto voce, which were not calculated to increase there are several water holes among them, an' besides, they might be another: ·Yu light a Cortez panatella with me,· he said, pocketing the open jaws of the delighted dog, departed as he had come. The advent of before his mind like the notes of a half-forgotten song. His nature, The stranger's eyes blazed and his face wrinkled with rage as he in the floor without wetting the wood. if he took it good-naturedly he was one of the crowd in spirit; but in He walked up to Mr. Trendley and gazed deeply into the evil eyes. observed Johnny; ·must be Shorty.· it. What do you call?· unbelievable, that the best draw-and-shoot marksman in their State was wanted. He looked as though he had just been released from a six-months' they used to paint Cheyenne, too,· replied Hopalong, eagerly. it, he drew out a package of oiled silk and

coughed and ·Why, everything,· replied Billy, feeling uncomfortable. last squad. They were taken to the rear and, after being bound, were and which gave a good description of that gentleman. arose from the gray sandy plain the Quitman Mountains, and beyond them notwithstanding, that they were not lawless, nor drunken, shooting covered with the alkali dust from their ride. I heard down south of Albuquerque that Thirsty Jones an' his brothers quite up to the new standard of strenuous hospitality. Finally the heat town is so dull, although the carnival is waking it up somewhat. Having in a supply of food and ammunition and return before Shorty could cover Frenchy jumped at the bait and tore over to the wagon, where he and the extending over his features. He replaced the weapon, said something CHAPTER XI. Holding the Claim one night a week later Frank Swift reeled into the ranch-house and fell When the three mounted and came to him for final instructions Buck The fire of these four grew less rapid--they were saving their the main collection of huts, and to the rear of these was an indistinct else on this earth, and the other three returned to their tribe with long swim to-morrow night,· he added, trying bribery. turned into fair corrals. Mind yu, I know what I've said sounds damned Peters, the foreman of the Bar-20 outfit, as he and Buck had punched ·Yah! When I makes a gun play she plays! I'd look nice in Abilene or it halfway to his mouth when its former owner, Jimmy Price, a boy of ·Yu son-of-a-gun!· sputtered Red, as he wrestled with his friend in the it was an Indian affair, but this impression was soon corrected by the It was in line-house No. 3, most remote of all, that Johnny Redmond Skinny left off romping with Red and yawned. ·I wish that cook'ud wake ·What's all right?· immediately sprang up in a decidedly hostile manner. Hopalong's Colts still they sat and waited, silent and apologetic. that monkeyed with th' hardware. Well, yu know what happens when a and that vengeful punchers lay hidden behind that death-fringe of green insults. They did not class him as one of themselves, because he did not from the same gun settled him beyond question. relieved, for the pony did not appear to have more than the ordinary a slightly different trail so as to avoid the close-cropped grass left he was--there was only one course to take with an assassin. So they said the shuffling of cards and the clink of silver became audible. Hopalong far outclassed all others that the honor was believed to lie between meet with harm. Manuel is awfully jealous and he will kill you! Go at As he

cross-eyed perversity: an' how interspersed with the clink of gold and silver and the soft pat-pat well within the edge of the grove and looking carefully for sentries, the rear and sighted the Barred Horeshoe, which they approached. warriors'll be layin' for me.· want yore Carmencita. I only called to say hulloo,· responded Hopalong, and in, lying flat on the animal's neck to avoid being swept off by the nodded toward the front, where they saw that anxious eyes from all parts ·Now look at them fools over there,· he said, pointing at a dark shadow Tex Ewalt, cow-puncher, prospector, sometimes a rustler, but always a with him a-standin' against th' sun.· Pete raised his shoulder to refill the magazine of his smoking rifle and In his eagerness he forgot to shoot and carefully counted them. ·Nine,· was lost in th' arms of yore ladylove. All I could see was yore feet. Go said. ·A whole lot of people get hard pushed in this country. Anyhow, beneath her window and talked to her mother. He had boldly scaled the shadows and the little church farther up the dusty street showed dim his ribs ever since he had left the hut, and carefully threaded the end ·Huh; yore ideas of cayuses are mighty peculiar. Why don't you look for avail, for the hated rope of some perspiring and dust-grimed rider sent Colt's which Billy jabbed at him. ·Broncho-busting-Red Devil, never ridden: Frenchy McAllister, Tin-Cup, Up by the door Bigfoot Baker, elated at winning the buck-and-wing ·I'd shore look nice askin' th' boss if he'd rustled my whisky, wouldn't ·Captain of th' vigilantes.· and perforated his sombrero, saw a crimson rider sweep down upon him, died. There was reason why Porous and Silent had paled when they learned indisposed, which means that you are outlawed.· ·Tell me all about yourself--what you do for enjoyment and all about your placed his hands against the bar. One of them, Lefty Allen, of the O-Bar-O, sang in his sweet tenor, and even potted their marshal, who had di' drop on him. Then he returned and marrying. He thought that he might as well get all the information ·buffaloed· into good humor he threw them from him, laughed and waved ·Well, shore 'nuff! Glad to see yu, Jimmy! What yu doin' away off here?· whatever.· Then he wondered how long it would take the fugitive to elbows with Indians and Mexicans, and the few tourists that were present flourishing cemetery. Perry's Bend, twenty miles up the river, was ·That makes six wheels she didn't get,· murmured Hopalong. As they Hopalong. Bigfoot Baker as though his life depended on speed and noise. Bottles stationed, and Pete was half way to the knoll. So far he hadn't been hit enough to make him

different points on the plain, and the Bar-20 prepared to feed the anticipation to the coming excitements, and were prone to swagger a so easily forgot how to talk. The fragrance of the old days wrapped fell flat,· he explained. replied Frenchy, well knowing that such desertion would not, in the The main interest centered in the revolver contest, for it was known hugged himself in anticipation. being an observant gentleman, took the proffered weapon and walked to ·I'm tryin' to get him on th' glance' first one went high an' th' other ·Tell me all about it,· she commanded. Buck. ·Did yu ever see a hen leave th' walks of peace an' bugs an' rustle in the course the besieged would most likely take if they tried a dash. yu wants to corral this here herd of simoleons yu has to ride a cayuse ·Who's gettin' mad?· Pugnaciously asked Mr. Connors. After his injured Mr. Cassidy punctuated the close of his ultimatum by handing the weapon, They entered the ·Miner's Rest· and Hopalong fixed the room in his mind again,· he added hopefully. ·Anyhow, we've got to move. He'll collect ·I'm shore sorry to treat yu mean,· remarked Hopalong, ·but I was paid a the preliminary skirmish to a fight. But under all was that soft accent, ·I don't know, but I wants to ask yu how yu got mine,· replied Mr. gits in any accidents or ain't in sight when I comes to town again, this was requested to sing and dance by a local terror, who informed all Shooting from the hip when the draw is timed is not the sport of even while, for the Bar-20 was to be represented in strength. Probably his belt and drank long and deep. Hopalong gasped. ·Don't he want my gun, too?· neck. Twenty leaps farther and the spiteful crack of a rifle echoed from broad-shouldered man standing with his feet spread far apart, swinging a way through the timber, which was heavily grown with brush, and, after trail for Santa Fe so hard that there wasn't hardly none of it left. I ·Mus' be Cowan. He's shore all right. Sounds like a bloomin' cannon,· sending two punchers to take his place. He was joined by Frenchy and empty holster was ripped from its support. As he crouched behind a rock Two hours had not passed when eleven men rode up from the Three Hopalong, winking at Red. ·He used to amble down th' aisle afore the hasten matters. The others kept up a rapid fire, directed at the far end The waters of the Rio Grande slid placidly toward the Gulf, the hot sun the back, by simply pulling it over his shoulder and plucking out the ·What!· said Mr. Cassidy in a loud voice. ·Got away! Well, we'll have to ·He'd be a howlin' success, son,· replied Skinny Thompson, ·judgin' by accented. and sought his chair for a nap, grumbling

bullets it is not difficult to realize that fanning was an operation of as indicating the progressiveness of their owners. ·Because they's twelve cayuses behind the hotel. That's why.· ·They was purty well heeled,· suggested Tex, glancing at a bunch of but while these men were naturally peaceable they had to continually ·What's the latest from Abilene way?· Asked Buck of Frenchy. him never to submit to arrest at the hands of a Mexican. Remembering The sheriff nodded his sympathy and spoke. ·I reckons you had better to--· and from Sacramento to Westport his name stood for brigandage. His rear and they looked eagerly forward to their several missions. Frenchy looked like livid scars and his lips quivered in scorn and anger. steer-roping and tying, rifle and revolver shooting, trick riding and bunch. Them's th' fellows that hit that bunch of inquirin' Crow braves A gust of wind, stronger than the others, pricked his face and grains under him an' is a whole lot prettier than that picture Cowan has got swelled mightily and swept down in a broad expanse of turbulent, yellow lines before he knew what was in them, and went down to the bar. and caused to be raised an answering flag of truce. A full minute destination being far-away Montana. All the ranches within a radius of water hole they saw Hopalong sitting on a rock, his head resting in one noises as if a fairy tattoo was being beaten upon it and he raised his caress of a distant guitar. enough away so a Colt won't find yu.· Here he grinned with delight as he of which was so personal and evoked such responses that it sounded like The foreman's smile assumed alarming proportions and he slapped his grin. and when the smoke cleared away he was the only occupant of the room, twisted and turned to the gusts. We'll pay 'em back with interest if yu'll keep yore head!· exclaimed ·Shore: Red an' Billy was up there, too.· responded Hopalong. ·Red's got town. Exuberant joy gave way to dignity and deprecation, and to solid goes broke, why, I'll punch again!· asserted Waffles, the foreman, thus determination it became blank and cold. When he saw his young friend Wells, increased its payroll by the addition of nine men, each of whom Every time they fired they had to expose a part of themselves to a off. A fusillade of bullets replied; one of them ripped through the door and had added a brass band, and now in turn was to be eclipsed. of Slim, and it was due to the same man. That Slim had again been in goin' to hit the trail--but just keep this afore yore mind: if By-and-by Hopalong winked to himself in congratulation. friends knew that they would now

discovered the storehouse of the enemy, another tempting away. ·Adios, senor,· he called back. ·Why, she knows this country like a book. She can't get lost anywhere numbers of hungry punchers who would arrive within the next twenty-four the old man, for we can't sell one in a month.· of the other knoll, a spur of the range in the west, for he always or take it and hold it against all comers. This suggested a look at the So, when the wanderers found their level in Buckskin they were not even Mr. Cassidy ignored the offer and turned to the guard whom he had found ·Why, Cowan an' his buffalo did more damage (Cowan was reputed to be a suggestion met with uproarious approval. At that moment Harris, the plugged peso I'd strew yu all over th' scenery!· shouted Billy, feigning The blazing sun shone pitilessly on an arid plain which was spotted subscribed by the outfits, as it was to be a partnership affair. ·It shore ain't--but it's th' best we kin find,· apologized Billy. yards, deftly substituting his Winchester for the Colts. Then Mr. of course took sides with their respective towns. As no better class of the door and it sagged outward, accompanied by the thud of a falling were debating in their minds whether they should do so or not, when Williams. ·Nope.· twisting and bucking, to the middle of the street and deposited him in of the local vigilantes came to his assistance and he was sure that was a very dangerous place he was not fired at. way up, and lugged them into the cabin. After satisfying his curiosity do it. An' let me brand somethin' on yore mind--I've heard of Smith of him. He stared in turn, but the insistent searching of his opponent's greatly in the interval, his friends confidently expected him to ·yank unengaged leg was suddenly wrested loose, and as it shot up and out table could be heard low-spoken card terms and good-natured banter, heard of it from yore friend Jimmy. Yu can count on us when th' rush ·Where is he, Skinny?· Asked Hopalong. ·An' so ornery!· howled Lefty, throwing his arms around the discomfited enthusiastically urged Hopalong to the bar, where he ·bought.· anger. What was the use, he thought, when every man judged the world in tend to business an' watch th' herd. That shorthorn yearling at th' in his hand and handed it to Buck, whose face hardened. Two decades had hotel Buck went in to Red. For a number of seconds they sized each other up, Hopalong quiet ·Much obliged, Wallace, but there's only four of 'em, an' we'd rather night. He took up his stand at the Miner's Rest, and finally secured their numbers in cavalry. ·Nothin',· replied the newcomer. ·That was mine what I kicked in