there's goin' to be any shootin', let's have an even break, anyway."

Tucson's hand fell away from his holster; he stepped back toward the
door, away from the range boss and Ferguson.

Leviatt's face had crimsoned. "Mebbe I was runnin' a little bit
wild----" he began.

"That's comin' down right handsome," said Ferguson.

He sheathed his gun and deliberately turned his back on Leviatt. The
latter stood silent for a moment, his face gradually paling. Then he
turned to where Tucson had taken himself and with his friend entered
the bunkhouse. In an instant the old talk arose and the laughter, but
many furtive glances swept Ferguson as he stood, talking quietly with
Rope.

The following morning Stafford came upon Rope while the latter was
throwing the saddle on his pony down at the corral gate.

"I heard something about some trouble between Dave Leviatt an' the new
stray-man," said Stafford. "I reckon it wasn't serious?"

Rope turned a grave eye upon the manager. "Shucks," he returned, "I
reckon it wasn't nothin' serious. Only," he continued with twitching
lips, "Dave was takin' the stray-man's measure."

Stafford smiled grimly. "How did the stray-man measure up?" he
inquired, a smile working at the corners of his mouth. "I reckon he
wasn't none shy?"

Rope grinned, admiration glinting his eyes. "He's sure man's size," he
returned, giving his attention to the saddle cinch.

CHAPTER VIII

THE FINDING OF THE ORPHAN

During the few first days of his connection with the Two Diamond
Ferguson had reached the conclusion that he would do well to take
plenty of time to inquire into the situation before attempting any
move. He had now been at the Two Diamond for two weeks and he had not
even seen Radford. Nor had he spoken half a dozen words with Stafford.
The manager had observed certain signs that had convinced him that
speech with the stray-man was unnecessary and futile. If he purposed
to do anything he would do it in his own time and in his own way.
Stafford mentally decided that the stray-man was "set in his ways."

The wagon outfit had departed,--this time down the river. Rope Jones
had gone with the wagon, and therefore Ferguson was deprived of the
companionship of a man who had unexpectedly taken a stand with him in
his clash with Leviatt and for whom he had conceived a great liking.

With the wagon had gone Leviatt also. During the week that had elapsed
between the clash at the bunkhous