The cowboy's eyes were unfriendly, though he made no comment as they
waited.

"Howdy!" called the Major genially as, with a nod, the herder would have
passed without speaking.

The stranger responded briefly, but stopped.

"Come fur?" inquired the Major sociably.

"Utah."

"Goin' fur?"

"Until I find a location. I rather like the looks of this section."

"Sheep spells 'trouble' in this country," said the cowboy,
significantly.

"Think so?" indifferently.

Seeing Teeters was about to say something further, the Major
interrupted:

"What might I call your name, sir?"

"Just say 'Joe,' and I'll answer."

The Major looked a trifle disconcerted, but in his role of Master of
Ceremonies continued:

"I'll make you acquainted with Mr. Teeters."

The two men nodded coldly.

To break the strained silence the Major observed:

"Got a boy helpin' you, I notice."

"Girl," replied the sheepherder briefly.

"Girl? Oh, I see! Them overalls deceived me. Daughter, I presume."

"Pardner," laconically.

The Major looked incredulous but said nothing, and while he sought for
something further to say in order to prolong the conversation they all
turned abruptly at the rattle of rocks.

"The boss," said Teeters sardonically from the corner of his mouth, and
added, "That's a young dude that's visitin'."

Toomey was perfectly equipped for a ride in Central Park. He looked an
incongruous and alien figure in the setting in his English riding
clothes and boots. The lad who accompanied him was dressed in
exaggerated cowboy regalia.

Toomey used a double bit and now brought his foaming horse to a short
stop with the curb. He vouchsafed the unimportant "natives" in the road
only a brief glance, but addressed himself to Teeters.

"Where have you been?" he demanded in a sharp tone.

"I ain't been lost," replied Teeters calmly. "Where would I be 'cept
huntin' stock?"

"Why didn't you follow me?"

"I think too much of my horse to jam him over rocks when there ain't no
special call for it. I kin ride on a run 'thout fallin' off, when they's
need to."

Toomey's brilliant black eyes flashed. Swallowing the impudence of these
western hirelings was one of the hardest things he had to endure in his
present life. But even he could see that Teeters thoroughly understood
cattle, else he would have long since discharged him.

"I've ridden about ten extra miles trying to keep you in sight."

"If you'd let them sturrups out