e or two of
the men were already pitching into the corral for their consumption.
And in less than five minutes they were housed for the night.

Then it was that Jim greeted the two cow-punchers.

"The boss'll be pleased, boys. Glad to see you back, Dutchy, and you,
too, Joe. Guess you'll have things to report so----"

The boys were out of their saddles and loosening their cinchas. They
eyed him curiously without attempting to acknowledge his greeting. The
rest of the men had gathered round. And now it was noticeable that
while they pointedly ignored their foreman, the newcomers, equally
markedly, exchanged friendly nods and grins with their colleagues.
Just for a moment Jim wondered. Then annoyance added sharpness to his
words. He was not accustomed to being treated in this cool fashion.

"You best come right up to my shack and report," he said. "You can get
supper after. I'll need to know at once----"

"Best get a look at them beasties fust," said Joe, in a harsh tone,
and with an unmistakable laugh.

"Yep," sniggered Dutchy, with an insolent look into Jim's face.

The studied insult of both the men was so apparent that all eyes were
turned curiously upon the foreman. For Jim Thorpe was popular. More
than popular. He was probably the best-liked man on the range. Then,
too, Jim, in their experience, was never one to take things "lying
down."

His dark, clear brows drew ominously together, and his eyes narrowed
unpleasantly.

"Say, the sun's hurt you some, boys, hasn't it?" he asked sharply.
Then he went on rapidly, his teeth clipping with each sentence: "See
here, get right up to my shack. I'll take that report. And I don't
need any talk about it. Get me?"

But though the men remained silent the insolence of their eyes
answered him. Dutchy slung his saddle over his shoulder and stood
while Joe picked up his belongings. And in those moments his eyes
unflinchingly fixed his foreman, and a smile, an infuriating smile of
contempt, slowly broke over his heavy Teutonic features.

It was too much for Jim. He pointed at his shack. "Hustle!" he cried.

But before the men had time to move away, two of the boys, who had
elected to obey their comrade's suggestion, came running up from the
corral.

"Say, boss," cried Barney, excitedly, "get a peek at their brands!"

Nor was there any mistaking the man's anxiety--even awe. There was a
general rush for the corral. And by the time Jim reluctantly reached
the fences he