ng," said Reynolds. "Your letters have waited
three years--I reckon they'll keep over night."

"That's so," said Mose with a smile.

Sleep came to him swiftly, in spite of his letters, for he was very
tired, but he found the room close and oppressive when he arose in the
morning. The women were already preparing breakfast and Reynolds sat by
the fire pulling on his boots.

As they were walking out to the barn Reynolds plucked him by the sleeve
and said:

"I reckon I've lost my chance to kill Craig."

"Why?"

"A Mexican took the job off my hands." His face expressed a sort of
gloomy dissatisfaction. Then without looking at Mose he went on: "That's
one reason daughter looks so pert. She's free of that skunk's clutches
now--and can hold up her head. She's free to marry a decent man."

Mose was silent. Mary's letter had thrust itself between his lips and
Cora's shapely head, and all thought of marriage with her was gone.

As they galloped up to the camp the boys were at work finishing the last
bunch of calves. The camp wagon was packed and ready to start across the
divide, but the cook flourished a newspaper and came running up.

"Here you are, posted like a circus."

Mose took the paper, and on the front page read in big letters:

BLACK MOSE!
Mysterious as Ever.
The Celebrated Dead Shot.
Visits Wagon Wheel, and Swiftly Disappears.

"Damn 'em!" said Mose, "can't they let me alone? Seems like they can't
rest till they crowd me into trouble."

CHAPTER XVII

MOSE RETURNS TO WAGON WHEEL

As Mose threw the rope over the bald-faced pinto the boys all chuckled
and drew near, for they knew the character of the horse. Reynolds had
said, "Take your pick o' the bunch," and Mose, with the eye of a
horseman, had roped the pinto because of his size, depth of chest, and
splendid limbs.

As he was leading his captive out of the bunch the cook said to Mose,
"Better not take that pinto; he's mean as a hornet."

"Is his wind all right?"

"He's one o' the best horses on the range, all right, but he shore is
mean all the way through. He always pitches at the start like he was
fair crazy."

"Does he go when he gets through?" asked Mose of Reynolds.

"Yes, he's a good traveler."

"I don't want to be delayed, that's all. If he'll go, I'll stay by him."

The boys nudged elbows while Mose threw the saddle on the cringing
bru