re allowed the privilege of being his cronies
or mates.

"You--would, eh?" he gasped, as if hardly daring to believe his ears.
"Even if you knew it was Peg Grant you'd treat me that way; would you?
I'll remember that! I'm not the one to forget in a hurry. Some day,
perhaps, you'll wish you'd never tried to play the hero part, and hit
me when my back was turned. I've got a good notion to teach you a
lesson right now; that's what!"

"All right," remarked Bob, coolly. "Suppose you begin. I was never in
a better humor for trouble. Somehow I seemed to just know we'd hit it
up sooner or later if our trails crossed. I give you my word, my
friend here won't put a finger on you, if so be you get the better of
the row; will you Frank?"

"I should say not," declared the lad, instantly, adding: "and unless I
miss my guess there won't be any need of it, either."

"Are you coming on, Peg?" asked the Kentucky lad, temptingly.

From under his drooping eyebrows Peg observed how easily the other had
assumed a position of self-defense. Somehow Peg did not fancy the
athletic build of his antagonist; for, while Bob was rather slender, he
had the marks of one accustomed to exercise; possessing at least
ordinary ability to take care of himself.

"It'll keep, and be all the better for the delay," Peg grumbled, as he
clenched one fist furiously, and used the other hand to feel of his
injured optic. "Besides, I don't feel fit to fight right now, with
this bunged-up eye. But just wait till the right time comes, and see
what you get then for doing this."

"Oh! well, suit yourself," returned Bob, with a laugh. "If the little
brown-faced girl hadn't vamoosed I declare if I wouldn't feel like
making you get down on your knees, and asking her to excuse you. Bah!
you're not worth bothering about, Peg. Get out!"

The other moved away. He did not like the manner in which Bob said
this; and he seemed to be afraid that perhaps the other might yet
decide to press some further indignity on him.

When, however, he had reached the door of the inn, so that he could
have a way of escape open to him in case of need, he stopped and shook
his fist threateningly toward the saddle boys.

"You're both going to pay dear for this little fun, hear that?" he
called, his voice trembling with passion. "I'll find a way to get
even, see if I don't! And when Peg Grant says that he means it, too!
Just you wait till I----"

And then, as Bob started