to get that bunch back, and the man who
stole them, if I have to go to hell to do it. And I'm going to do the
same with every case of rustling that comes up from now on. I don't
care if it's only one cow, I'm going to get it back--every trip. Now,
I want to know if you'll lead a posse down into the south country and
bring out that last bunch, and the man who rustled them?"

"I don't know--" hesitated the stranger.

"I offer you five thousand dollars in gold if you'll bring back those
cows and the man who stole 'em," repeated Buck Johnson. "And I'll give
you all the horses and men you think you need."

"I'll do it," replied the two-gun man promptly.

"Good!" cried Buck Johnson, "and you better start to-morrow."

"I shall start to-night--right now."

"Better yet. How many men do you want, and grub for how long?"

"I'll play her a lone hand."

"Alone!" exclaimed Johnson, his confidence visibly cooling.

"Alone! Do you think you can make her?"

"I'll be back with those cattle in not more than ten days."

"And the man," supplemented the Senor.

"And the man. What's more, I want that money here when I come in. I
don't aim to stay in this country over night."

A grin overspread Buck Johnson's countenance. He understood.

"Climate not healthy for you?" he hazarded. "I guess you'd be safe
enough all right with us. But suit yourself. The money will be here."

"That's agreed?" insisted the two-gun man.

"Sure."

"I want a fresh horse--I'll leave mine--he's a good one. I want a
little grub."

"All right. Parker'll fit you out."

The stranger rose.

"I'll see you in about ten days."

"Good luck," Senor Buck Johnson wished him.

CHAPTER FOUR

THE ACCOMPLISHMENT

The next morning Buck Johnson took a trip down into the "pasture" of
five hundred wire-fenced acres.

"He means business," he confided to Jed Parker, on his return. "That
cavallo of his is a heap sight better than the Shorty horse we let him
take. Jed, you found your man with nerve, all right. How did you do
it?"

The two settled down to wait, if not with confidence, at least with
interest. Sometimes, remembering the desperate character of the
outlaws, their fierce distrust of any intruder, the wildness of the
country, Buck Johnson and his foreman inclined to the belief that the
stranger had undertaken a task beyond the powers of any one man.
Again, remembering the stranger's cool grey eye, the poise of his
demeanour,