into her mouth, "that mebbe they'd put up for it the seven
hundred dollars, and, even as it was, seein' as The Pilot appeared to be
sot on to it, if them fellers would find two hundred and fifty I cher--"
another shriek from Gwen cut him suddenly short.

"It's the rheumaticks, mebbe," said Bill, anxiously. "Terrible bad
weather for 'em. I get 'em myself."

"No, no," said Gwen, wiping away her tears and subduing her laughter.
"Go on, Bill."

"There ain't no more," said Bill. "He bit, and the master here put it
down."

"Yes, it's here right enough," I said, "but I don't suppose you mean to
follow it up, do you?"

"You don't, eh? Well, I am not responsible for your supposin', but them
that is familiar with Bronco Bill generally expects him to back up his
undertakin's."

"But how in the world can you get five hundred dollars from the cowboys
for a church?"

"I hain't done the arithmetic yet, but it's safe enough. You see, it
ain't the church altogether, it's the reputation of the boys."

"I'll help, Bill," said Gwen.

Bill nodded his head slowly and said: "Proud to have you," trying hard
to look enthusiastic.

"You don't think I can," said Gwen. Bill protested against such an
imputation. "But I can. I'll get daddy and The Duke, too."

"Good line!" said Bill, slapping his knee.

"And I'll give all my money, too, but it isn't very much," she added,
sadly.

"Much!" said Bill, "if the rest of the fellows play up to that lead
there won't be any trouble about that five hundred."

Gwen was silent for some time, then said with an air of resolve:

"I'll give my pinto!"

"Nonsense!" I exclaimed, while Bill declared "there warn't no call."

"Yes. I'll give the Pinto!" said Gwen, decidedly. "I'll not need him any
more," her lips quivered, and Bill coughed and spat into the next room,
"and besides, I want to give something I like. And Bill will sell him
for me!"

"Well," said Bill, slowly, "now come to think, it'll be purty hard to
sell that there pinto." Gwen began to exclaim indignantly, and Bill
hurried on to say, "Not but what he ain't a good leetle horse for his
weight, good leetle horse, but for cattle--"

"Why, Bill, there isn't a better cattle horse anywhere!"

"Yes, that's so," assented Bill. "That's so, if you've got the rider,
but put one of them rangers on to him and it wouldn't be no fair show."
Bill was growing more convinced every moment that the pinto wouldn't
sell to any advantage. "Ye see," h