d
virtually control several thousand acres of range around the water-hole
ranch. He told Sundown that he expected him to homestead the ranch for
himself--do the necessary work to secure a title, and then at his
option either continue as a rancher or sell the holding to the Concho.
"I'll start you with some stock--a few head, and a horse or two. All
you have to do is to 'tend to business and forget that I have ever
spoken to you about homesteading the place. You'll have to play it
alone after you get started."

"Suits me, boss. I ain't what you'd call a farmer, but me and Chance
can scratch around and act like we was. But the smooth gent as pinched
me--ain't he goin' to come again?"

"Sure as you're wearing spurs! But you just take it easy and you'll
come out all right. Loring put Jim Banks after you. Jim is all right
and he's business. Loring wants the water-hole ranch. So do I. Now,
if Loring tells the sheriff he saw you in Usher, and later at the
water-hole, Jim will begin to think that Loring is keeping pretty close
trail on you. When Jim finds out you've filed on the water-hole,--and
he already knows that Loring wants it,--he'll begin to figure that
Loring had you jailed to keep you out of his way. And you can take it
from me, Jim Banks is the squarest man in Apache County. He'll give
you a chance to make good. If we can keep you out of sight till he
hears from over the line, I think you'll be safe after that. If we
can't, why, you still have your title to the water-hole ranch and that
holds it against trespassers."

"Well, you're sure some shark on the long think! Say, I been scared
stiff so long I'm just commencin' to feel me legs again. The sun is
shinin' and the birds are sawin' wood. I get you, boss! The old guy
that owns the wool had me pinched. Well, I ain't got nothin' ag'in'
him, but that don't say I ain't workin' for you. Say, if he comes
botherin' around me farm, do I shoot?"

"No. You just keep right on. Pay no attention to him."

"Just sick Chance on him, eh?"

"He'd get Chance. I'm going to run some cattle over that way soon.
Then you'll have company. You needn't be scared."

"Cattle is some comp'ny at that. Say, have I got to ride that there
bronc Bud jest went down the street on?"

"As soon as we get out of town."

"Which wouldn't be long if we had hosses like him, eh?"

"I'll give you a note to Murphy. He'll send your horse back to Usher
and let you take a fr