ff in spots.
I've got as good an education, I reckon, as anyone here--an' a damn
sight better one than I need in my business. I walk on my hind legs an'
eat with a fork. I've got a job--eighty bucks a month, an'
found--foreman of the Y Bar outfit, over across the river. Some day I
expect to own an outfit of my own!" He ceased suddenly, and reaching
out, drew the girl from her father's arms and held her to his side, "An'
last of all--an' as far as I can see, the only thing that really
matters--I love this little girl----"

"Losh! Lad!" cried the old Scot, his eyes a-twinkle. "Ye fair talk me
off my feet! 'Tis na wonder she took ye--ye ne'er gi' her a chance to
say no!"

"Supper's ready!" called Jennie, from the interior of the cabin, and it
was a merry company indeed, that filed in and took their places at the
table--extended for the occasion by means of planks carried in from
Cinnabar's unfinished stable.

"I've just bought an outfit, over on the other side," said Endicott,
when the last vestige of Jennie's pies had disappeared from the plates,
and the thick cups had been filled with black coffee. "And Cinnabar, do
you know where I could find a foreman?"

"On the other side!" exclaimed the Texan. "You! Didn't know there was an
outfit for sale over there! What is it, Win--sheep, or cattle?"

"Cattle."

Cinnabar shook his head.

Endicott continued, "He must be capable, sober, understand the cattle
business, and--married."

"Don't know no one that would quite fill the bill," grinned Cinnabar
Joe.

"Hey, Win," cut in Tex, "how would I do? I'm capable of some
things--sometimes. I've got Cinnabar, here, for a witness that upon
certain occasions I've be'n sober. I understand the cow business or old
Dad Colston wouldn't of made me foreman--an' tomorrow, everyone here's
goin' to be witnesses that I'm married! How about it--don't that fill
the bill?"

Endicott laughed: "I guess that fills the bill, Tex," he said. "You're
hired!"

"But--what outfit did you buy, Win?"

"The Y Bar," answered Endicott, "and Colston told me that if I couldn't
find you for foreman, I'd sure be out of luck."

"The Y Bar!" Tex reached over and grasped Endicott's hand. "Boss--you've
got the best outfit in Montana!"

"Not--boss--Tex. What you meant was 'Partner.' You see I forgot to
mention that the man who accepted the position would have to accept a
half-interest in the outfit--his time and his experience--against my
money." A dead s