e explained carefully and cunningly,
"he ain't a horse you could yank round and slam into a bunch of steers
regardless."

Gwen shuddered. "Oh, I wouldn't think of selling him to any of those
cowboys." Bill crossed his legs and hitched round uncomfortably on his
bench. "I mean one of those rough fellows that don't know how to treat
a horse." Bill nodded, looking relieved. "I thought that some one like
you, Bill, who knew how to handle a horse--"

Gwen paused, and then added: "I'll ask The Duke."

"No call for that," said Bill, hastily, "not but what The Dook ain't all
right as a jedge of a horse, but The Dook ain't got the connection, it
ain't his line." Bill hesitated. "But, if you are real sot on to sellin'
that pinto, come to think I guess I could find a sale for him, though,
of course, I think perhaps the figger won't be high."

And so it was arranged that the pinto should be sold and that Bill
should have the selling of it.

It was characteristic of Gwen that she would not take farewell of the
pony on whose back she had spent so many hours of freedom and delight.
When once she gave him up she refused to allow her heart to cling to him
any more.

It was characteristic, too, of Bill that he led off the pinto after
night had fallen, so that "his pardner" might be saved the pain of the
parting.

"This here's rather a new game for me, but when my pardner," here he
jerked his head towards Gwen's window, "calls for trumps, I'm blanked if
I don't throw my highest, if it costs a leg."

CHAPTER XVI

BILL'S FINANCING

Bill's method of conducting the sale of the pinto was eminently
successful as a financial operation, but there are those in the Swan
Creek country who have never been able to fathom the mystery attaching
to the affair. It was at the fall round-up, the beef round-up, as it
is called, which this year ended at the Ashley Ranch. There were
representatives from all the ranches and some cattle-men from across
the line. The hospitality of the Ashley Ranch was up to its own
lofty standard, and, after supper, the men were in a state of high
exhilaration. The Hon. Fred and his wife, Lady Charlotte, gave
themselves to the duties of their position as hosts for the day with a
heartiness and grace beyond praise. After supper the men gathered round
the big fire, which was piled up before the long, low shed, which stood
open in front. It was a scene of such wild and picturesque interest as
can only be witness