ort, and
without looking at Delmar. "We don't want any fuss, so I want to make
this proposition. You take the north side of the Cannon Ball above the
main trail, and we'll keep the south side and all the grass up to the
trail. That'll give you range enough for your herd and will save
trouble. We've had all the trouble we want. I don't want any gun-work
myself."

To this the stranger said: "Very well. I'll go look at the ground. If it
will support my sheep I'll keep them on it. I claim to be a reasonable
man also, and I've had troubles in my time, and now with a family
growing up on my hands I'm just as anxious to live peaceable with my
fellow-citizens as any man, but I want to say to you that I'm a mean man
when you try to drive me."

Thereupon he shook hands with Williams and several others of the older
men. After most of the cattlemen had ridden away, Jake said, "Well, now,
we'll be glad to see you over at our shack at the mouth o' the Cannon
Ball." He held out his hand and the sheepman shook it heartily. As he
was saying good-by the sheep owner's eyes dwelt keenly on Mose.
"Youngster, you're a good ways from home and mother."

Mose blushed, as became a youth, and said: "I'm camping in my hat these
days."

The sheepman smiled. "So am I, but I've got a wife and two daughters
back in Santy Fay. Come and see me. I like your build. Well, gentlemen,
just call on me at any time you need me. I'll see that my sheep don't
trouble you."

"All right; you do the same," replied the Pratts.

"You fellows hold the winning hand," said Delmar; "the small rancher
will sure wipe the sheepman out in time. I've got sense enough to see
that. You can't fight the progress of events. Youngster, you belong to
the winning side," he ended, turning to Mose, "but it's the unpopular
side just now."

All this was epic business into which to plunge a boy of eighteen whose
hot blood tingled with electric fire at sight of a weapon in the hands
of roused and resolute men. He redoubled his revolver practice, and
through Daniel's gossip and especially through the boasting of Jennie,
his skill with the revolver soon became known to Delmar, who invited him
to visit him for a trial of skill. "I used to shoot a little myself," he
said; "come over and we'll try conclusions."

Out of this friendly contest the youth emerged very humble. The old
sheepman dazzled him with his cunning. He shot equally well from either
hand. He could walk by a tree, wheel