far as I can throw my horse."

"I haven't a check-book," he lied.

"Get it, Pink."

The check-book and indelible pencil which every sheep and cattleman
carries were in the inside pocket of his coat.

"Fill it out." Wallie passed the pencil to him. "And don't leave off a
cipher by mistake."

"I refuse to be coerced!" Canby declared, defiantly. "I'll keep my word,
but I didn't say when."

"_I'm_ setting the date," Wallie replied, coolly, "and that's just four
minutes and a half from _now_," taking out his watch. "If I haven't got
the check by then you'll pay for those locoed horses, too, or I'll throw
you back."

"You don't dare!"

"When you haven't anything to lose you'll do considerable to get 'hunks'
and that's my fix. Besides, I need the money. Two minutes left--think
fast."

"You'll sweat blood for this before I'm through with you!"

"Time's up--yes or no?"

Canby gritted his teeth.

Silently Wallie passed the end of the rope to Pinkey, who understood and
took a turn around his saddle-horn.

Before he could resist Wallie gave Canby a shove and pushed him over the
bank. He struck the water with a splash and went out of sight.
Immediately the well-trained cow-horse felt the strain it backed up and
held the rope taut.

Canby came to the surface, then dangled as the horse continued to hold
off. As he strangled with the water he had taken in his lungs and
struggled frantically in the air, it seemed beyond human belief that it
was he, Canby--Canby the all-powerful--in such a plight!

"Pay out a little rope, Pinkey. Give the fish more line."

Once again Canby dropped back and came up gasping, coughing, fighting
for his breath.

A little anxiously Pinkey asked:

"Don't you bleeve he's had enough?"

"Too much scrap left in him yet," Wallie replied, unmoved.

Canby shrieked at last: "I'll pay! Let me up!"

"You mean that?"

"Good God--YES!"

Pinkey led the horse back and in no gentle fashion Canby was pulled over
the edge for the second time, where he lay limp. When his breath and
strength returned he struggled to his feet.

"If you go in again you won't come up." Wallie's voice was metallic and,
searching his face, Canby saw that he meant exactly what he said.

His hand was shaking as he filled out the check, using the saddle for a
desk.

Wallie looked at it and handed it back.

"You forgot the horses--six hundred is what they cost."

Canby started to protest, then, with a crafty look w