ir grow out and then burns in his three
crosses."

"And so my leasing the bottoms has spoiled this criminal dealing?"

"That's what. I heard a greaser down in El Paso last winter
boasting you'd sell your ranch inside of two years."

"Why didn't you tell me?" demanded Mr. Wilder severely.

"Didn't think it was necessary. Fatty and I fixed him so he
wouldn't brag any more."

Deeming it unwise to inquire Into the means taken for silencing the
Mexican, the ranchman lapsed into silence for a few minutes and
then declared:

"No cattle thieves can drive me out of business, Nails. I have the
right on my side, and right always triumphs."

"We boys are with you, Mr. Wilder. You've always played more than
fair with us, which is more than we can say of some folks, and we
appreciate it. Cowboys have feelings same as other people, though
there seem to be a lot of folks who don't think so. And I'm
speaking for the other boys of the Half-Moon as well as myself. We
talked it all over before Pete sent me to the ranch. But when you
join 'em at the pool, don't say anything about what I've told you.
Sentiment and hunting cattle thieves don't mix."

This expression of the esteem in which his men held him, crude
though it was, moved Mr. Wilder deeply, and reaching over, he
seized the cowboy's hand and shook it warmly, an action that
delighted Nails greatly.

The statement about Megget gave the ranchman a new train of
thought. He realized for the first time that he was engaged in a
cattle war which would only end with his ruin or the capture of the
entire band of thieves. And being a man who could not be
frightened, the owner of the Half-Moon Ranch vowed to accomplish
the latter alternative.

The hard ride was tiring the ponies, wiry though they were, and the
men on their backs were obliged to resort to almost continual use
of their spurs. But at last the buildings of the ranch home came
into view, and soon Mr. Wilder and Nails were at the corral.

"Saddle the best of the bunch for me," ordered the ranchman as he
dismounted. "I'll go to the house for a bite and then start for
the Three Stars."

"What about me?" inquired the cowboy, disappointment in his voice
at the thought of being left behind.

"I want you to ride into Tolopah. Don't say anything about the
raid. Just listen round and see if you can learn anything." And
turning on his heel, Mr. Wilder started for the house.

"Where are the boys? You didn't