d experience with
them."

"Ah, yes! Poor young Whittaker! I 'eard about 'is death. That was the
wickedest thing they've ever dared to do. Most everybody in this
country 'as lost cattle by them and we'd all be glad to see 'em driven
out."

"They belong to that class of cattlemen," Wellesly replied, "who start
in the business with one old steer and a branding iron, and then let
nature take its course."

Haney laughed uproariously and when he could speak added: "Yes, and in
three years they 'ave bigger 'erds than any of their neighbors.
You're right, sir, and the sooner the country gets rid of such men the
better. I don't think, Mr. Wellesly, it's safe for you to ride alone
where you are likely to meet any of that outfit. You know the feeling
they 'ave for your company, and what they did for young Will, poor
boy, they'd do for you if they got the chance. I've got business out
your way, over at Muletown, and if you don't mind I'll ride along with
you that far. That will put you on the right road and if we should
meet any of the Mead outfit they wouldn't be so likely to shoot as if
you were alone."

"All right, Mr. Mullford, I'll be very glad of your company. I'm no
plainsman, and it is the easiest thing in the world for me to get lost
out here among the mesquite and sagebrush, where the country all looks
alike. I suppose I have about the least sense of direction of any man
who ever tried to find his way across a plain alone."

"You needn't worry about that now. Just leave it to me and I'll get
you to Muletown by the shortest route. I know all this country
thoroughly, every cow-path and water 'ole in it, and you couldn't lose
me if you tried. You needn't think about the road again this
afternoon."

Haney buckled on a full cartridge belt and a revolver, put a pair of
saddle bags with a big canteen of water in each side over his horse,
slung a rifle on one side of his saddle, and they started off along a
slightly beaten road straight toward the southeast. Wellesly asked
Haney if he were sure they were going in the right direction, and
Haney assured him that it was all right and chaffed him a little that
he so easily lost the points of the compass. In the distance, a mile
or so ahead of them, they saw a man on horseback leading another horse
which carried a pack. When Wellesly again said that he did not
understand how he could be so entirely at sea, Haney suggested that
they overtake this traveler and get his assurance