very best cigars, Charley. Got
any real high-toned brands?"

"Cortez panatella--two for a simoleon," Chancy replied. "But, seein' that
it's you, I'll throw off a dollar on a dozen. They're a fool notion of
the old man, for we can't sell one in a month."

Hopalong dug up a handful and threw one on the counter, lighting
another: "Yu light a Cortez panatella with me," he said, pocketing the
remainder. "That's five simoleons she didn't get. So long."

He journeyed to Tom Lee's and found his outfit making merry. Passing
around his cigars he leaned against the bar and delighted in the first
really good smoke he had since he came home from Kansas City.

Johnny Nelson blew a cloud of smoke at the ceiling and paused with a
pleased expression on his face:

"This is a lalapoloosa of a cigar," he cried. "Where'd yu get it, an'
how many's left?"

"I got it from Charley, an' there's more than yu can buy at fifty a
shot."

"Well, I'll just take a few for luck," Johnny responded, running out
into the street. Returning in five minutes with both hands full of
cigars he passed them around and grinned: "They're birds, all right!"

Hopalong smiled, turned to Buck and related his conversation with
Chancy. "What do yu think of that?" He asked as he finished.

"I think Charley oughter be yore guardian," replied the foreman.

"He was," replied Hopalong.

"If we sees Tex we'll all grin hard," laughed Red, making for the door.
"Come on to th' contests--Lanky's gone already."

Muddy Wells streamed to the carnival grounds and relieved itself of
its enthusiasm and money at the booths on the way. Cow-punchers rubbed
elbows with Indians and Mexicans, and the few tourists that were present
were delighted with the picturesque scene. The town was full of fakirs
and before one of them stood a group of cow-punchers, apparently
drinking in the words of a barker.

"Right this way, gents, and see the woman who don't eat. Lived for two
years without food, gents. Right this way, gents. Only a quarter of a
dollar. Get your tickets, gents, and see--"

Red pushed forward:

"What did yu say, pard?" He asked. "I'm a little off in my near ear.
What's that about eatin' a woman for two years?"

"The greatest wonder of the age, gents. The wom--"

"Any discount for th' gang?" Asked Buck, gawking.

"Why don't yu quit smokin' an' buy th' lady a meal?" Asked Johnny from
the center of the group.

"Th' cane yu ring th' cane yu get!" came from the other