none the worse for wear save a
slightly swollen lower lip; he seemed in good humor.

"Shake," he proffered, extending his hand. "No hard feelin's here. I'm no
Injun. You knocked the red-eye out o' me."

I shook hands with him, and again he slapped me upon the shoulder. "Hardly
knowed you in that new rig. Now you're talkin'. That's sense. Well; how
you comin' on?"

"First rate," I assured, not a little nonplussed by this greeting from a
man whom I had knocked down, tipsy drunk, only a few hours before. But
evidently he was a seasoned customer.

"Bucked the tiger a leetle, I reckon?" And he leered cunningly.

"No; I rarely gamble."

"Aw, tell that to the marines." Once more he jovially clapped me. "A young
gent like you has to take a fling now and then. Hell, this is Benton,
where everything goes and nobody the worse for it. You bet yuh! Trail
along with me. Let's likker. Then I'll show you the ropes. I like your
style. Yes, sir; I know a man when I see him." And he swore freely.

"Another time, sir," I begged off. "I have an engagement this
evening----"

"O' course you have. Don't I know that, too, by Gawd? The when, where and
who? Didn't she tell me to keep my eyes skinned for you, and to cotton to
you when you come in? We'll find her, after we likker up."

"She did?"

"Why not? Ain't I a friend o' hern? You bet! Finest little woman in
Benton. Trail to the trough along with me, pardner, and name your
favor-ite. I've got a thirst like a Sioux buck with a robe to trade."

"I'd rather not drink, thank you," I essayed; but he would have none of
it. He seized me by the arm and hustled me on.

"O' course you'll drink. Any gent I ax to drink has gotto drink. Name your
pizen--make it champagne, if that's your brand. But the drinks are on
me."

So willy-nilly I was brought to the bar, where the line of men already
loafing there made space.

"Straight goods and the best you've got," my self-appointed pilot blared.
"None o' your agency whiskey, either. What's yourn?" he asked of me.

"The same as yours, sir," I bravely replied.

With never a word the bartender shoved bottle and glasses to us. Jim
rather unsteadily filled; I emulated, but to scanter measure.

"Here's how," he volunteered. "May you never see the back of your neck."

"Your health," I responded.

We drank. The stuff may have been pure; at least it was stout and cut
fiery way down my unwonted throat; the one draught infused me with a
swagger and