the captive, now livid with rage. Archie was
cursing by both note and rhyme, and had managed to unearth a knife and
was trying to cut the lassos which fettered himself and horse, when
Dorg Seay rode in and rapped him over the knuckles with a six-shooter,
saying, "Don't do that, sweetheart; those ropes cost thirty-five cents
apiece."

Fortunately the knife was knocked from Tolleston's hand and his
six-shooter secured, rendering him powerless to inflict injury to any
one. The cattle count had ended, and escorted by a cordon of mounted
men, both horse and captive were led over to where a contingent
had gathered around to hear the result of the count. I was merely a
delighted spectator, and as the other men turned from the cattle and
met us, Lovell languidly threw one leg over his horse's neck, and,
suppressing a smile, greeted his old foreman.

"Hello, Archie," said he; "it's been some little time since last we met.
I've been hearing some bad reports about you, and was anxious to meet up
and talk matters over. Boys, take those ropes off his horse and give him
back his irons; I raised this man and made him the cow-hand he is, and
there's nothing so serious between us that we should remain strangers.
Now, Archie, I want you to know that you are in the employ of my
enemies, who are as big a set of scoundrels as ever missed a halter.
You and Flood, here, were the only two men in my employ who knew all
the facts in regard to the Buford contract. And just because I wouldn't
favor you over a blind horse, you must hunt up the very men who
are trying to undermine me on this drive. No wonder they gave you
employment, for you're a valuable man to them; but it's at a serious
loss,--the loss of your honor. You can't go home to Texas and again
be respected among men. This outfit you are with will promise you the
earth, but the moment that they're through with you, you won't cut any
more figure than a last year's bird's nest. They'll throw you aside like
an old boot, and you'll fall so hard that you'll hear the clock tick in
China. Now, Archie, it hurts me to see a young fellow like you go wrong,
and I'm willing to forgive the past and stretch out a hand to save you.
If you'll quit those people, you can have Flood's cattle from here to
the Rosebud Agency, or I'll buy you a ticket home and you can help with
the fall work at the ranch. You may have a day or two to think this
matter over, and whatever you decide on will be final. You have