inal man. There's a word fits him, if I could think of it." He
looked at her inquiringly.

"Primitive, I think you mean," she said.

"That's it--primitive. That's him. He's the rough material; nobody's
ever helped him to get into shape. A lot of folks pride themselves on
what they call culture, forgettin' that it wasn't in them when they
came into the world, that it growed on them after they got here, was
put there by trainin' an' example. Not that I'm ag'in culture; it's a
mighty fine thing to have hangin' around a man. But if a man ain't got
it an' still measures up to man's size, he's goin' to be a humdinger
when he gets all the culture that's comin' to him. Mebbe Calumet'll
never get it. But he's losin' his grouch, an' if you--"

"When do you think you will finish repairing the corral?" interrupted
Betty.

Dade grinned. "Tomorrow, I reckon," he said.

CHAPTER XVIII

ANOTHER PEACE OFFERING

Dade's prediction that the corral would be completed the next day was
fulfilled. It was a large enclosure, covering several acres, for in
the Lazy Y's prosperous days there had been a great many cattle to care
for, and a roomy corral is a convenience always arranged for by an
experienced cattleman. But it yawned emptily for more than a week
following its completion.

During that time there had been little to do. Dade and Malcolm had
passed several days tinkering at the stable and the bunkhouse; Bob, at
Calumet's suggestion, was engaged in the humane task of erecting a
kennel for the new dog--which had grown large and ungainly, though
still retaining the admiration of his owner; and Calumet spent much of
his time roaming around the country on Blackleg.

"Killin' time," he told Dade.

But it was plain to Dade, as it was to Betty, who had spoken but little
to him in a week, that Calumet was filled with speculation and
impatience over the temporary inaction. The work of repairing the
buildings was all done. There was nothing now to do except to await
the appearance of some cattle. The repair work had all been done to
that end, and it was inevitable that Betty must be considering some
arrangement for the procuring of cattle, but for a week she had said
nothing and Calumet did not question her.

But on the Monday morning following the period of inaction, Calumet
noted at the breakfast table that Betty seemed unusually eager to have
the meal over. As he was leaving the table she told him she wanted to