occasional box of salve, and in an emergency pulled
teeth, in addition to the compensation which he received for what was
designated privately as his "gift of gab." But the Major, nevertheless,
had his dark moments, in which he contemplated the day when age should
force him to retire to private life. Since the wagon containing his
patent leather valise was his home, the Major had no private life to
retire to, and his anxiety concerning the future would seem not without
cause. Now in a flash all his worries smoothed out. He would capitalize
his wide acquaintance and his influence, gain independence and
perpetuate his name in the same stroke. At the moment he actually
suffered because there was no one present to whom he could communicate
his thoughts.

The cloud of dust was closer, but not near enough yet to distinguish the
moving objects that caused it, so he set himself energetically to
applying White Badger Salve to the axle, replacing the wheel and
tightening the nut. When he straightened a horseman who had ridden out
of the creek bed was scrambling up the side of the "bench." He was
dressed like a top cowpuncher--silver-mounted saddle, split-ear bridle
and hand-forged bit. The Major was familiar with the type, though this
particular individual was unknown to him.

"Howdy!" The cowboy let the reins slip through his fingers so his horse
could feed, and sagged sidewise in the saddle.

"How are you, sir?" There was nothing in the dignified restraint of the
Major's response to indicate that his vocal cords ached for exercise and
he was fairly quivering in his eagerness for an ear to talk into. There
was a silence in which he removed a nose bag, bridled and shoved a horse
against the tongue.

"Back, can't ye!"

"Nooned here, I reckon?"

The Major thought of his chickenless handout and his face clouded.

"I et a bite."

"Thought maybe you was in trouble when I first see you."

"Had a hot box, but I don't call that trouble." He added humorously:

"I can chop my wagon to pieces and be on the road again in twenty
minutes, if I got plenty of balin' wire."

The cowboy laughed so appreciatively that the Major inquired
ingratiatingly:

"I bleeve your face is a stranger to me, ain't it?"

"I don't mind meetin' up with you before. I've just come to the country,
as you might say."

The Major waited for further information, but since it was not
forthcoming he ventured:

"What might I call your name, sir?"

The c