ggested quickly.

There was always a chance that, if the battle were fought at long range,
the cattleman might reach the hill canons in safety.

Keller was helpless. He lived in a man's world, where each one fought
for his own head and took his own fighting chance. Weaver had proposed
an adjustment of the difficulty, and his enemies had accepted his offer.
Even if the Sandersons would have tolerated further interference, the
cattleman would not.

Moreover Keller's hands were tied as to taking sides. He could not fight
by the side of the owner of the Twin Star Ranch against the father and
brother of Phyllis. There was only one thing to do, and that offered
little hope. He slipped quietly from the room and from the house, swung
to the back of a horse he found saddled in the place and galloped wildly
down the road toward the schoolhouse.

Phyllis had much influence over her father. If she could reach the
scene in time, she might prevent the duel.

His pony went up and down the hills as in a moving-picture play.

Meanwhile terms of battle were arranged at once, without haggling on
either side. Weaver was to have a repeating Winchester and a belt full
of cartridges, the others such weapons as they chose. The duel was to
start with two hundred and fifty yards separating the combatants, but
this distance could be increased or diminished at will. Such cover as
was to be found might be used.

"Whatever's right suits me," the cattleman said. "I can't say more than
that you are doing handsomely by me. I reckon I'll make that declaration
to some of your help, if you don't mind."

The horse wrangler and the Mexican waiter were sent for, and to them the
owner of the place explained what was about to occur. Their eyes stuck
out, and their chins dropped, but neither of the two had anything to
say.

"We're telling you boys so you may know it's all right. I proposed this
thing. If I'm shot, nobody is to blame but myself. Understand?" Weaver
drove the idea home.

The wrangler got out an automatic "Sure," and Manuel an amazed "_Si,
senor_," upon which they were promptly retired from the scene.

Having prepared and tested their weapons, the parties to the difficulty
repaired to the pasture.

"I'd like to try out this gun, if you don't mind. It's a new
proposition to me," the cattleman said.

"Go to it," nodded Slim, seating himself tailor-fashion on the ground
and rolling a cigarette. He was a black, bilious-tempered fellow,