t as a matter of course that Duane
made no comment about himself.

"Sir, it's all one to me," he said, blandly, waving his hand. "I have
traveled. Texas is free, and this frontier is one where it's healthier
and just as friendly for a man to have no curiosity about his companion.
You might be Cheseldine, of the Big Bend, or you might be Judge Little,
of El Paso-it's all one to me. I enjoy drinking with you anyway."

Duane thanked him, conscious of a reserve and dignity that he could not
have felt or pretended three months before. And then, as always, he was
a good listener. Colonel Webb told, among other things, that he had come
out to the Big Bend to look over the affairs of a deceased brother who
had been a rancher and a sheriff of one of the towns, Fairdale by name.

"Found no affairs, no ranch, not even his grave," said Colonel Webb.
"And I tell you, sir, if hell's any tougher than this Fairdale I don't
want to expiate my sins there."

"Fairdale.... I imagine sheriffs have a hard row to hoe out here,"
replied Duane, trying not to appear curious.

The Colonel swore lustily.

"My brother was the only honest sheriff Fairdale ever had. It was
wonderful how long he lasted. But he had nerve, he could throw a gun,
and he was on the square. Then he was wise enough to confine his work
to offenders of his own town and neighborhood. He let the riding outlaws
alone, else he wouldn't have lasted at all.... What this frontier needs,
sir, is about six companies of Texas Rangers."

Duane was aware of the Colonel's close scrutiny.

"Do you know anything about the service?" he asked.

"I used to. Ten years ago when I lived in San Antonio. A fine body of
men, sir, and the salvation of Texas."

"Governor Stone doesn't entertain that opinion," said Duane.

Here Colonel Webb exploded. Manifestly the governor was not his choice
for a chief executive of the great state. He talked politics for a
while, and of the vast territory west of the Pecos that seemed never to
get a benefit from Austin. He talked enough for Duane to realize that
here was just the kind of intelligent, well-informed, honest citizen
that he had been trying to meet. He exerted himself thereafter to
be agreeable and interesting; and he saw presently that here was an
opportunity to make a valuable acquaintance, if not a friend.

"I'm a stranger in these parts," said Duane, finally. "What is this
outlaw situation you speak of?"

"It's damnable, sir, and unbeli