down to dig
up a little of the wet from an overflow puddle lyin' at his feet. At
the same time the hosses, left sort of to themselves and bein' drier
than a covered bridge, drug forward and stuck their noses in the trough.

Gentleman Tim and me was sittin' there on our hosses, a little to one
side. We saw Texas Pete jump up from his chair, take a quick aim, and
cut loose with his rifle. It was plumb unexpected to us. We hadn't
thought of any shootin', and our six-shooters was tied in, 'count of
the jumpy country we'd been drivin' the steers over. But Gentleman
Tim, who had unslung his rope, aimin' to help the hosses out of the
chuckhole, snatched her off the horn, and with one of the prettiest
twenty-foot flip throws I ever see done he snaked old Texas Pete right
out of his wicky-up, gun and all. The old renegade did his best to
twist around for a shot at us; but it was no go; and I never enjoyed
hog-tying a critter more in my life than I enjoyed hog-tying Texas
Pete. Then we turned to see what damage had been done.

We were some relieved to find the family all right, but Texas Pete had
bored one of them poor old crow-bait hosses plumb through the head.

"It's lucky for you you don't get the old man," says Gentleman Tim very
quiet and polite.

Which Gentleman Tim was an Irishman, and I'd been on the range long
enough with him to know that when he got quiet and polite it was time
to dodge behind something.

"I hope, sir" says he to the stranger, "that you will give your wife
and baby a satisfying drink. As for your hoss, pray do not be under
any apprehension. Our friend, Mr. Texas Pete, here, has kindly
consented to make good any deficiencies from his own corral."

Tim could talk high, wide, and handsome when he set out to.

The man started to say something; but I managed to herd him to one side.

"Let him alone," I whispers. "When he talks that way, he's mad; and
when he's mad, it's better to leave nature to supply the lightnin'
rods."

He seemed to sabe all right, so we built us a little fire and started
some grub, while Gentleman Tim walked up and down very grand and fierce.

By and by he seemed to make up his mind. He went over and untied Texas
Pete.

"Stand up, you hound," says he. "Now listen to me. If you make a
break to get away, or if you refuse to do just as I tell you, I won't
shoot you, but I'll march you up country and see that Geronimo gets
you."

He sorted out a shovel and pick,