smart boy, who thinks it looks nice ter have his hair long, an'
who likes ter put on lugs 'cause he's got some putty gals with him,"
answered the cowboy, after a slight pause.

"So that is your opinion, is it?"

"I reckon it is, young feller."

"Well, don't you think a person has a right to wear good clothes if he
can well afford it?"

"Oh, yes. I ain't sayin' nothin' about that. But clothes don't make ther
man--or boy, either. How long have you been West, Sonny?"

"How long have you been West?"

"About fifteen years, I reckon."

"Well, I can beat you by three or four years, then. Anything more you
would like to know?"

"Oh, tell him ter dry up, Luke!" said the first speaker. "What's ther
use of talkin' ter ther young dandy? Him an' ther other boy has hired
ther man they've got with 'em ter take 'em around an' show 'em ther
sights; an' they've, got ther man rigged out in buckskin an' fancy
trimmin's, jest ter make 'em all attract attention. I'll bet I'm right
on that!"

He turned to our hero as he said this and acted as though he was sure he
was right.

"How much will you bet, you windy galoot?"

As Young Wild West said this he drew a roll of bills from his pocket and
showed it to the three cowboys.

It was just then that the saloon-keeper appeared in the door, and behind
him was the Chinaman who had sneaked in at the rear door of the shanty.

"What's all this talk about, gents?" he asked. "I hear some putty loud
talk, so there must be somethin' goin' on."

"Oh, there isn't anything going on yet; but there might be, if the
fellows don't get a little more civil," our hero answered, coolly. "It
seems that they are trying to pick a row just because we have on better
clothes than they have. If they are looking for anything like that I
reckon they can get it mighty quick."

"Wow!" exclaimed the most talkative of the three cowboys. "Did you hear
that, boys? Well, well! Who would have thought it?"

Cheyenne Charlie acted as though he would like to take a hand in the
controversy, but he managed to keep quiet.

Jim Dart and the girls were looking on with smiles on their faces, while
the Chinaman, looking out of the doorway, over the shoulder of the
keeper of the saloon, actually grinned with delight.

They all knew that Young Wild West was quite able to take care of all
three of the men if it became necessary and they also knew that
something was likely to happen very soon.

The two companions of the ta