unpleasant mood. He saw
Howard and behind him the dust-clouds of an advancing herd.

'Got any hay?' demanded Howard.

'Two barns full,' said Doran.

'Sell me enough to take care of my cows? Sunderberg's pastures were
burned out; I'm up against it for feed.'

'Can't,' said Doran. 'Guess I'm sold out already for all I can let go.'

Howard wondered who was buying up hay at this time and by the big
barnful.

'A fellow came by here yesterday,' explained Doran, and took an option
on my whole lot.' His shrewd eyes gleamed. 'And at my own figure,
too! Which was four dollars the ton higher'n the market! That's going
a few, ain't it?'

'Who was the man?' asked Howard.

'Fellow named Devine. Know him?'

Howard pondered swiftly. Then he demanded: 'Just an option? Mind
saying how much cash you got, Doran?'

'Why, no. He said he was short of cash, but he slipped me twenty bucks
to tie the option. I'm expecting him back to-morrow or next day to
close the deal.'

Howard sought swiftly to explain what Devine's play was; it was his
suspicion that the twenty dollars would be forfeited and that Doran's
hay would remain in his barns a thousand years if he waited for Devine
to come back for it. But Doran, though he seemed to reflect, was
stubborn. He hadn't a bale to sell, and that was all there was of it.
He even grinned behind Howard's departing back.

The drive continued. Slowly the panting brutes were urged on; at every
water-hole and every trail-side pasture they were rested. In the
afternoon Howard found a rancher who could spare half a dozen bales of
hay; they were promptly purchased, opened and thrown to the herd; to
disappear instantly. That night camp was made on the upper courses of
the Morales Creek. It was less than satisfactory; it was better than
nothing.

Thus the journey into San Juan required twice the time Howard had
counted upon. And when at last he and his men urged his lagging cattle
to the fringes of the village, he knew that the herd was in no
condition for an immediate delivery. He rode ahead and saw Engle at
the bank; from Engle he rented the best pasture to be had at hand and
bought hay; then, impatient at the enforced delay, he pitched camp and
strove in a week to bring back his stock to something of its former
condition.

Alone, he rode that night into San Juan, his eyes showing the rage
which day after day had grown in his heart. His revolver loose in its
holster he visit