er,
half-owner in the mines, and some women; they're fixing to celebrate the
Fourth with a dance. The women, it seems, are crazy to see a real Montana
dance, and watch the cowboys _chasse_ around the room in their chaps and
spurs and big hats, and with two or three six-guns festooned around their
middles, the way you see them in pictures. They think, as near as I could
find out, that cowboys always go to dances in full war-paint like
that--and they'll be disappointed if said cowboys don't punctuate the
performance by shooting out the lights, every so often." He looked across
at me, and then is when I observed the mischief brewing in his eyes.

"We'll have to take it in," I said promptly. "I'm anxious to see a Montana
dance, myself."

"We aren't in their set," gloomed Frosty, with diplomatic caution. "I
won't swear they're sending out engraved invitations, but, all the same,
we won't be expected."

"We'll go, anyhow," I answered boldly. "If they want to see cow-punchers,
it seems to me the Ragged H can enter a bunch that will take first
prize."

Frosty looked at me, and permitted himself to smile. "Uh course, if you're
bound to go, Ellis, I guess there's no stopping yuh--and some of us will
naturally have to go along to see yuh through. King's minions would sure
do things to yuh if yuh went without a body-guard." He shook his head, and
cupped his hands around a match-blaze and a cigarette, so that no one
could tell much about his expression.

"I'm bound to go," I declared, taking the cue. "And I think I do need some
of you to back me up. I think," I added judicially, "I shall need the
whole bunch."

The "bunch" looked at one another gravely and sighed. "We'll have t' go,
I reckon," they said, just as though they weren't dying to play the
unexpected guest. So that was decided, and there was much whispering among
groups when they thought the wagon-boss was near, and much unobtrusive
preparation.

It happened that the wagons pulled in close to the ranch the day before
the Fourth, intending to lay over for a day or so. We were mighty glad of
it, and hurried through our work. I don't know why the rest were so
anxious to attend that dance, but for me, I'm willing to own that I wanted
to see Beryl King. I knew she'd be there--and if I didn't manage, by fair
means or foul, to make her dance with me, I should be very much surprised
and disappointed. I couldn't remember ever giving so much thought to a
girl; but I suppose