ce a common thought; but
Tresler understood and cut him short.

"Go easy, Arizona. We're good friends all. You wouldn't like me to
interfere in a quarrel of yours."

"That's so--but----"

"Never mind the 'buts.'" And Tresler's keen, honest eyes looked
squarely into the seared face of the wild cowpuncher.

For a moment the men stood around looking on with lowering faces,
eyeing the prostrate man furtively. But Tresler's attitude gave them
no encouragement, and even Arizona felt the influence of his strong
personality. Suddenly, as though with a struggle, the cowboy swung
round on his fellows and his high-pitched tones filled the silent
room.

"Come right on, boys. Guess he's right. We'll git." And he moved
toward the door.

And the men, after the slightest possible hesitation, passed out in
his wake. Tresler waited until the door had closed behind the last of
them, then he turned to the injured man.

"Feeling better, Joe?"

"Feelin' better? Why, yes, I guess."

Joe's answer came readily, but in a weak voice.

"No bones broken?"

"Bones? Don't seem."

Tresler seated himself on the bunk and looked into the gray face. At
last he rose and prepared to go, but Joe detained him with a look.

"Say--they're gone?" he murmured.

The other sat down again. "Yes."

"Good." Joe sighed and reclosed his eyes; but it was only for a
second. He opened them again and went on. "Say, you won't tell
her--Miss Dianny. Don't you tell her. Pore little soul, she'll wep
them pretty eyes o' hers out, sure. Y' see, I know her. Y' see, I did
git drunk yesterday. I knew I'd git it. So it don't signify. Don't
tell her."

"She'll be sure to hear of it."

"Say, Tresler," Joe went on, ignoring the other's objection. "Go easy;
jest say nothin'. Kind o' fergit this thing fer the time. Ther's other
work fer you. I'd a heap sooner I'd bin killed than you git roped into
this racket. It's Miss Dianny you're to look to, not me; an' now,
mebbe, they'll run you off'n the ranch."

Tresler shook his head decidedly. "Don't be afraid; they can't get rid
of me, Joe," he said.

"Ah! Wal, I guess meanwhile you'd best git off to work. I'll pull
round after a while. You see, you must go dead easy wi' Jake, 'cos o'
her. Mind it's her--on'y her. You sed it last night. Mebbe this
thing's goin' to make trouble. Trouble fer you; an' trouble fer you
means trouble fer her."

"I'm going."

Tresler saw the force of the other's argument. He must give th