he horses passed the
station, and as they did so, the driver peered intently at the new
building, looking back around the side of the canvas cover, and
straining his neck to see all he could see, while the horses moved
along.

This would have seemed to Bucks mere idle curiosity had he not noticed
that some one within the wagon parted the canvas flaps at the rear as
it went by and likewise inspected the building with close attention.
Even this was no especial incident for wonderment, nor was Bucks
surprised when the emigrants, after pursuing their way until they were
well out of sight of the station itself, guided their wagon from the
trail into a little depression along the creek as if to make camp for
the night. The driver, a tall, thin man, wearing a slouch hat, got
down from the front of the wagon and walked with a shambling gait to
the head of his horses and loosened their bridles. While the horses
were drinking, a second man, carrying a rifle, climbed down from the
rear of the wagon. He was of a shorter and stockier build, and on one
side the brim of his soft hat had been torn away so that it hung
loosely over one ear, the other ear being covered only by a shock of
dusty hair.

A third man emerged from under the canvas cover, dropping down almost
behind the second--a fat man who looked about him with suspicion as he
slowly drew a rifle out of the wagon. The driver joined his companions
for a brief conference, and when it was finished the three men,
examining their rifles, walked back up the road toward the station. As
they neared it, two of them loitered back and presently took their
places behind convenient rocks where, without being seen, they could
see everything. The third man, the driver, carrying his rifle on his
arm, walked ahead, crossed the road, and, proceeding with some care,
stepped up on the platform and pushed open the door of the station
building.

Bucks, perched high on the rocky spur above the scene, looked on, not
knowing just what to make of it all. As he saw the two men conceal
themselves, he wondered what sort of a call the third man intended
making on the new agent, and why he should leave two armed men close
at hand in ambush when calling on one lone telegraph operator. Bucks
began to feel a bit creepy and watched the scene unfolding below with
keen attention. The driver of the wagon getting no response as he
opened the door, walked inside, and for a moment was not seen. He soon
reappear