n of the town were less solemn than plainsmen, they smiled oftener
and they joked more easily. Mose wondered how so many of them made a
living in one place. He heard one girl say to another, "Yes--but he's
awful sad looking, don't you think so?" and it was some minutes before
he began to understand that they were talking about him. Then he wished
he knew what else they had said.

There was little chance to see the towns for the train whirled through
them with furious jangle of bell and whiz of steam--or else drew up in
the freight yard a long way out from the station. When night fell on
this, the third day, they were nearing the Great River and all the
cattlemen were lamenting the fact. Those who had been over the line
before said:

"Too bad, fellers! You'd ought to see the Mississippi, she's a loo-loo.
The bridge, too, is worth seein'."

During the evening there was a serious talk about hotels and the
amusements to be had. One faction, led by McCleary, of Currant Creek,
stood for the "Drovers' Home." "It's right out near the stockyards an'
it's a good place. Dollar a day covers everything, unless you want a big
room, which is a quarter extra. Grub is all right--and some darn nice
girls waitin' on the table, too."

But Thompson who owned the sheep was contemptuous. "I want to be in
town; I don't go to Chicago to live out in the stockyards; I want to be
where things go by. I ante my valise at the Grand Palace or the New
Merchants'; the best is good enough for me."

McCleary looked a little put down. "Well, that's all right for a man who
can afford it. I've got a big family and I wouldn't feel right to be
blowing in two or three dollars a day just for style."

"Wherever the girls are thickest, there's where you'll find me," said
one of the young fellows.

"That's me," said another.

Thompson smiled with a superior air. "You fellers'll bring up down on
South Clark Street before you end. Some choice dive on the levee is
gappin' for you. Now, mind you, I won't bail you out. You go into the
game with your eyes open," he said, and his banter was highly pleasing
to the accused ones.

McCleary turned to Harold, whom he knew only as "Hank," and said:

"Hank, you ain't sayin' a word; what're your plans?"

"I'll stay with you as long as you need me."

"All right; I'll take care o' you then."

Night fell before they came in sight of the city. They were woefully
behindhand and everything delayed them. After a hundred