s some comfort in
giving them a few disagreeable minutes.

Pink, in the lead, was turning to ride around the tent, still yelling,
when someone within the tent fired a rifle--and did not aim as high as
he should. The bullet zipped close over the head of Big Medicine, who
happened to be opposite the crack between the tent-flaps. The hand of
Big Medicine jerked back to his hip; but, quick as he was, the Native
Son plunged between him and the tent before he could take aim.

"Steady, amigo," smiled Miguel. "You aren't a crazy sheepherder."

"No, but I'm goin' to kill off one. Git outa my way!" Big Medicine was
transformed into a cold-eyed, iron-jawed fighting machine. He dug the
spurs in, meaning to ride ahead of Miguel. But Miguel's spurs also
pressed home, so that the two horses plunged as one. Big Medicine,
bellowing one solitary oath, drew his right leg from the stirrup to
dismount. Miguel reached out, caught him by the arm, and held him to the
saddle. And, though Big Medicine was a strong man, the grip held firm
and unyielding.

"You must think of the outfit, you know," said Miguel, smiling still.
"There must be no shooting. Once that begins--" He shrugged his
shoulders with that slight, eloquent movement, which the Happy Family
had come to know so well. He was speaking to them all, as they crowded
up to the scuffle. "The man who feels the trigger-itch had better throw
his gun away," he advised coolly. "I know, boys. I've seen these things
start before. All hell can't stop you, once you begin to shoot. Put it
up, Bud, or give it to me."

"The man don't live that can shoot at me, by cripes, and git away with
it. Not if he misses killin' me!" Big Medicine was shaking with rage;
but the Native Son saw that he hesitated, nevertheless, and laughed
outright.

"Call him out and give him a thumping. That's good enough for a
sheepherder," he suggested as a substitute.

Perhaps because the Native Son so seldom offered advice, and, because of
his cool courage in interfering with Big Medicine at such a time, Bud's
jaw relaxed and his pale eyes became more human in their expression. He
even permitted Miguel to remove the big, wicked Colt from his hand,
and slide it into his own pocket; whereat the Happy Family gasped with
astonishment. Not even Pink would have dreamed of attempting such a
thing.

"Well he's got to come out and take a lickin', anyway," shouted Big
Medicine vengefully, and rode close enough to slap the canva