idger," asserted
Dancing. "He'd think no more of shooting you than I would of
scratching a match." Bucks stared at the comparison. "He is the worst
scoundrel in this country and partners with Seagrue and John Rebstock
in everything that's going on, and even they are afraid of him."

Dancing stopped for breath. "Talk about my making a fire out of
way-bills! When I saw you lay your hand on that man, I stopped
breathing--can't breathe just right yet," he muttered, pulling at his
shirt collar. "Do you know why you didn't get killed?"

"Why, no, Bill, not exactly," confessed Bucks in embarrassment.

"Because Levake was out of cartridges. I heard him tell Rebstock so
when they walked past me."

"Thank you for posting me. How should I know he was Seagrue's partner,
or who Rebstock is? Let's make a bargain. I will be more careful in
clearing out the office, and you be more careful about building fires.
There's wood in the baggage-room. I couldn't get out to get it for
fear the crowd would steal the tickets."

"Well, you are 'out' four dollars and sixty cents charges on the
cartridges," continued Dancing, "and you had better say nothing about
it. If you ever ask Levake for the money he will kill you."

Bucks looked rebellious. "It's only right for him to pay the charges.
I shall ask him for them the next time I see him. And what is more he
will have to pay, I don't care whose partner he is."

Dancing now regarded the operator with unconcealed impatience. "I
suppose there are more where you came from," he muttered. "They will
need a lot of them here, if they carry on like that. How old are you?"
he demanded of Bucks abruptly.

"Seventeen."

"How long have you been in this country?"

Bucks looked at the clock. "About five hours, Bill."

"Reckon time close, don't you?"

"Have to, Bill, in the railroad business."

Dancing reflected a moment. "Five hours," he repeated. "If you don't
get killed within the next five you may live to be a useful citizen of
Medicine Bend. Where are you from, and how did you happen to come away
out here on the plains?"

"I am from Pittsburgh. I had to quit school and go to work."

"Where did you go to school?"

"Well, I didn't go----"

"Quit before you went, did you?"

"I mean, I was preparing for Van Dyne College. One of my brothers
teaches there. I couldn't start there after I lost my father--he was
killed in the Wilderness Campaign, Bill. But when I can earn money
enough, I am go