antage that pleased him, even drew a grim smile to his lips as
he rode on his way. Leviatt may have seen him near the dead Two
Diamond cow, but he certainly was not aware that Ferguson knew he
himself had been there during the time that the rustler had been at
work.

Practically, of course, this knowledge would avail Ferguson little.
Yet it was a good thing to know, for Leviatt must have some reason for
secrecy, and if anything developed later Ferguson would know exactly
where the range boss stood in the matter.

Determined to investigate as far as possible, he rode down the river
for a few miles, finally reaching a broad plain where the cattle were
feeding. Some cowboys were scattered over this plain, and before
riding very far Ferguson came upon Rope. The latter spurred close to
him, grinning.

"I'm right glad to see you," said the puncher. "You've been keepin'
yourself pretty scarce. Scared of another run-in with Leviatt?"

"Plum scared," returned Ferguson. "I reckon that man'll make me
nervous--give him time."

"Yu' don't say?" grinned Rope. "I wasn't noticin' that you was
worryin' about him."

"I'm right flustered," returned Ferguson. "Where's he now?"

"Gone down the crick--with Tucson."

Ferguson smoothed Mustard's mane. "Leviatt been with you right along?"

"He went up the crick yesterday," returned Rope, looking quickly at the
stray-man.

"Went alone, I reckon?"

"With Tucson." Rope was trying to conceal his interest in these
questions.

But apparently Ferguson's interest was only casual. He turned a
quizzical eye upon Rope. "You an' Tucson gettin' along?" he questioned.

"Me an' him's of the same mind about one thing," returned Rope.

"Well, now." Ferguson's drawl was pregnant with humor. "You surprise
me. An' so you an' him have agreed. I reckon you ain't willin' to
tell me what you've agreed about?"

"I'm sure tellin'," grinned Rope. "Me an' him's each dead certain that
the other's a low down horse thief."

The eyes of the two men met fairly. Both smiled.

"Then I reckon you an' Tucson are lovin' one another about as well as
me an' Leviatt," observed Ferguson.

"There ain't a turruble lot of difference," agreed Rope.

"An' so Tucson's likin' you a heap," drawled Ferguson absently. He
gravely contemplated the puncher. "I expect you was a long ways off
yesterday when Leviatt an' Tucson come in from up the crick?" he asked.

"Not a turruble ways off," returned Rope.