lied the doctor cheerfully. "I had to come,
you know. We can't go back on our friends."

"Mexico" kept his eyes fastened on the doctor's face. His lips began
to tremble. He put out his hand and clutched the doctor's hard. "I know
now," he said hoarsely, "why He let 'em kill Him."

"Why?"

"Couldn't go back on His friends, eh?"

"You've got it, 'Mexico,' old man. Pretty good, eh?"

"You bet! Now, Doc, get through quick and get to bed."

The bullet was found in the lung and safely extracted. It was a nasty
wound and dangerous, but in half an hour "Mexico" was resting quietly.
Then the doctor lay down on a couch near by and tossed till morning,
conscious of a return of the pain and fever. The symptoms he well
knew indicated a very serious condition. When "Mexico" woke the doctor
examined him carefully.

"You're fine, 'Mexico.' You'll be all right in a week or two. Keep quiet
and obey orders."

"Mexico's" hand grasped him. "Doc," he said anxiously, "you look awful
bad. Can't you get to bed quick? You're going to be terrible sick."

"I'm afraid I'm going to be pretty bad, 'Mexico,' but I'm glad I came. I
couldn't have stayed away, could I? Remember that, 'Mexico.' I'm glad I
came."

"Mexico's" fierce black eyes softened. "Doc, I'm sorry and I'm glad. I
had a lot of things to ask, but I don't need to. I know now. And I want
to tell you, I've quit all that business, cut it right out." He waved
his hand toward the bar.

"'Mexico,'" said Barney earnestly, "that's great! That's the best news
I've had all summer. Now I must get back quick." He took the gambler's
hand in his. "Good-bye, 'Mexico.'" His voice was earnest, almost solemn.
"You've done me a lot of good. Good-bye, old boy. Play the game. He'll
never go back on a friend."

"Mexico" reached out and held him with both hands. "Git out," he said to
the attendant. "Doc," his voice dropped to a hoarse whisper as he drew
the doctor down to him, "there ain't nobody here, is there?" he asked,
with a glance round the room.

"No, 'Mexico,' no one."

"Doc," he began again, his strong frame shaking, "I can't say it. It's
all in here till it hurts. You're--you're like Him, I think. You make me
think o' Him."

Barney dropped quickly on his knees beside the bed, threw his arms about
his friend, and held him for a few moments in a tight embrace. "God
bless you, 'Mexico,' for that word," he said. "Goodbye, my friend."

They held each other fast for a moment or two, loo