to 'em. Also I'm obliged to you for
permittin' me to tarry a spell longer on this mundane spear, as the
fellow says, even if I can't chew nothin' harder'n soup."

"Would you mind rolling me a cigarette," grinned Endicott, as he
finished the last of the biscuits. "I never tried it, and I am afraid
I would bungle the job." Without hesitation the Texan complied, deftly
interposing his body so that the pilgrim could not see that the tobacco
he poured into the paper was the last in his sack. He extended the
little cylinder. "When you get that lit, you better crawl into them
clothes of yours an' we'll be hittin' the back-trail. Out here in the
open ain't no place for us to be."

Endicott surveyed his sorry outfit with disfavour. "I would rather
stick to the B.V.D.'s, if it were practical."

"B.V.D., B.V.D.," repeated the Texan. "There ain't no such brand on
this range. Must be some outfit south of here--what did you say about
it?"

"I said my B.V.D.'s," he indicated his under-garments; "these would be
preferable to those muddy trousers and that shirt."

"Oh, that's the brand of your longerie. Don't wear none myself, except
in winter, an' then thick ones. I've scrutinized them kind, though,
more or less thorough--hangin' on lines around nesters' places an' home
ranches, when I'd be ridin' through. Never noticed none with B.V.D. on
'em, though. The brand most favoured around here has got XXXX FLOUR
printed acrost the broad of 'em, an' I've always judged 'em as
belongin' to the opposin' sect."

Endicott chuckled as he gingerly arrayed himself in the damp garments
and when he was dressed, Tex regarded him quizzically: "Them belongin's
of yourn sure do show neglect, Win." Endicott started at the word. It
was the first time any one had abbreviated his name, and instantly he
remembered the words of Alice Marcum: "If you keep on improving some
day somebody is going to call you Win." He smiled grimly. "I must be
improving," he muttered, under his breath, "I would pass anywhere for a
tramp." From beyond the fire Tex continued his scrutiny, the while he
communed with himself: "Everything's fair, et cetry, as the fellow
says, an' it's a cinch there ain't no girl goin' to fall no hell of a
ways for any one rigged out like a last year's sheepherder. But, damn
it! he done me a good turn--an' one that took guts to do. 'Tain't no
use in chasin' the devil around the stump---- If I can get that girl
I'm a-goin' to g