you what makes you tell me that, when I'm a perfect
stranger to you, and when perhaps you may never see me again?"

"Well, now," said the cowboy, pushing back his hat and scratching his
head thoughtfully, "blame if I know why, but I just 'lowed I could,
sorter. An' I _kin_!"

"But why?"

"Say, you're the d----dest feller I ever did see. You got to have a
reason fer everything on earth?" His tone became more truculent. "First
place, 'f I didn't have no other reason, I kin lick ary man on earth that
walks."

"Friend," said Franklin, "get down off that horse, and I'll give you a
little wrestle to see who rides. What's your name, anyhow?"

"Whoa!" said the other. "Name's Curly." He was on the ground as he said
this last, and throwing the bridle over the horse's head. The animal
stood as though anchored. Curly cast his hat upon the ground and trod
upon it in a sort of ecstasy of combat. He rushed at Franklin without
argument or premeditation.

The latter had not attended country school for nothing. Stepping lightly
aside, he caught his ready opponent as he passed, and, with one arm about
his neck, gave him a specimen of the "hip-lock" which sent him in the air
over his own shoulder. The cowboy came down much in a heap, but
presently sat up, his hair somewhat rumpled and sandy. He rubbed his
head and made sundry exclamations of surprise. "Huh!" said he. "Well,
I'm d----d! Now, how you s'pose that happened? You kain't do that
again," he said to Franklin, finally.

"Shouldn't wonder if I could," said Franklin, laughing.

"Look out fer me--I'm a-comin'!" cried Curly.

They met more fairly this time, and Franklin found that he had an
antagonist of little skill in the game of wrestling, but of a surprising
wiry, bodily strength. Time and again the cowboy writhed away from the
hold, and came back again with the light of battle in his eye. It was
only after several moments that he succumbed, this time to the insidious
"grapevine." He fell so sharply that Franklin had difficulty in breaking
free in order not to fall upon him. The cowboy lay prone for a moment,
then got up and dusted off his hat.

"Mount, friend," said he, throwing the bridle back over the horse's neck
without other word. "You done it fair!"

"I'll tell you what we'll do," said Franklin, extending his hand. "We'll
just both walk along together a way, if you don't mind. I'll get me a
horse pretty soon. You see, I'm a new man here--