my pony."

"Ben, you and Bud ride through the town and see if you can't get on to
the movements of that old rip Norris, also, and look out for Kit. If we
don't get Norris, and make him give up that magpie pony, our work has
not been half done. As long as we have won out all around, we might as
well have the fruits of our victory," said Ted.

"What'll we do to ther coyote?" asked Bud.

"Part his coat tails and give him a good, swift kick," answered Ted.
"But don't get into any fights with these town gamblers. We can't afford
anything of that sort, you know."

"All righty; but I'd shore like ter git a crack at some o' them
mavericks," said Bud grudgingly.

"They're all licked in their minds already," said Ted. "Of course,
they're sore at losing their money, and if a dozen or more of them were
to tackle you, you'd have a hard time getting away with it. When the
fight comes off, if ever it does, we all want to be in on it."

They parted, and Ted and Stella rode into the town.

"Say, friend, have you seen anything of that old skin Norris?" asked
Ted, meeting one of the Running Water outfit on the street.

"Yep. I wuz jest goin' ter look yer up an' post yer," was the reply.

"Which way did he go, or is he still in town?"

"Jest after yer put ther finish onto Shan--an', say, that wuz a beaut,
if any one should ask you--I see Norris an' ther jock makin' fer ther
gate, leadin' ther magpie bronc. I thinks they're goin' ter put him in
ther corral fer yer, an' didn't pay much 'tention ter him."

"Then he's up at the corral?"

"No, he ain't. He's foggin' along to'rds ther Wichita Mountains as fast
as he kin go."

"How do you know?"

"I met one o' our outfit a bit ago, an' he was sore because yer let ther
old feller git away with ther magpie, after yer won him fair. Yer see,
he thinks ye flunked on collectin' ther pony."

"Not on your life. We don't do business that way."

"That's what I was thinkin', so I ast him whichever way ther ole man was
headin'. He says inter ther east, tickity-brindle."

"Which road?"

"Right out ther east end o' ther main street."

"Thank you, pard."

"Yer almighty welcome. Good luck. If yer ketch up with ther coyote,
bring him in an' let us have a good squint at him."

"Oh, I'll bring him in, all right, if I get him."

"So long!"

"So long! Come on, Stella, we'll have to kick dust if we're going to
connect with that old party."

They dashed down the street, followed by an eq