hich had so swiftly followed one
upon the other.

"Ye gods," he muttered, "this is a queer place--and these are queer
people."

Then as he saw the great figure of Jake coming up the hill toward him,
from the direction of a small isolated hut, he went out to meet him,
unconsciously squaring himself as he drew near.

He expected an explosion; at least an angry demonstration. But nothing
of the sort happened. The whole attitude of the man had changed to one
of studied amiability. Not only that, but his diction was careful to a
degree, as though he were endeavoring to impress this man from the
East with his superiority over the other ranchmen.

"Well? You have seen him?"

"Yes. I have now come to report myself ready for work," Tresler
replied at once. He adopted a cold business tone, deeming it best to
observe this from the start.

To his surprise Jake became almost cordial. "Good. We can do with some
hands, sure. Had a pleasant talk with the old man?" The question came
indifferently, but a sidelong glance accompanied it as the foreman
turned away and gazed out over the distant prairie.

"I have," replied Tresler, shortly. "What are my orders, and where do
I sleep?"

"Then you don't sleep up at the house?" Jake inquired, pretending
surprise. There was a slight acidity in his tone.

"That is hardly to be expected when the foreman sleeps down there."
Tresler nodded, indicating the outbuildings.

"That's so," observed the other, thoughtfully. "No, I guess the old
man don't fancy folk o' your kidney around," he went on, relapsing
into the speech of the bunkhouse unguardedly. "Mebbe it's different
wi' the other."

Tresler could have struck him as he beheld the meaning smile that
accompanied the fellow's words.

"Where do I sleep?" he demanded sharply.

"Oh, I guess you'll roll into the bunkhouse. Likely the boys'll fix
you for blankets till your truck comes along. As for orders, why, we
start work at sunup, and Slushy dips out breakfast before that. Guess
I'll put you to work in the morning; you can't do a deal yet, but
maybe you'll learn."

"Then I'm not wanted to-night?"

"Guess not." Jake broke off. Then he turned sharply and faced his man.
"I've just one word to say to you 'fore you start in," he went on. "We
kind o' make allowance fer 'tenderfeet' around here--once. After that,
we deal accordin'--savee? Say, ther' ain't no tea-parties customary
around this layout."

Tresler smiled. If he had been kill