eman ambled through,
his face in a broad grin. He also paused, to perch upon the seat end, his
arm extended friendlily along the back.

"Well, we got him corralled," he proclaimed needlessly. "That t'rantular
juice nigh broke his neck for him."

"Did you take his bottle away, Jerry?" she asked.

"Sure thing. He'll be peaceable directly. Soused to the guards. Reckon
he's inclined to be a trifle ugly when he's on a tear, ain't he? They'd
shipped him out of Benton on a down train. Now he's going back up."

"He's safe, you think?"

"Sewed tight. He'll sleep it off and be ready for night." The brakeman
winked at her. "You needn't fear. He'll be on deck, right side up with
care."

"I've told this gentleman that I'm not afraid," she answered quickly.

"Of course. And he knows what's best for him, himself." The brakeman
slapped me on the shoulder and good-naturedly straightened. "So does this
young gentleman, I rather suspicion. I can see his fortune's made. You
bet, if he works it right. I told him if you cottoned to him----"

"Now you're talking too much, Jerry," she reproved. "The gentleman and I
are only traveling acquaintances."

"Yes, ma'am. To Benton. Let 'er roar. Cheyenne's the closest I can get,
myself, and Cheyenne's a dead one--blowed up, busted worse'n a galvanized
Yank with a pocket full o' Confed wall-paper." He yawned. "Guess I'll take
forty winks. Was up all night, and a man can stand jest so much, Injuns or
no Injuns."

"Did you expect to meet with Indians, sir, along the route?" I asked.

"Hell, yes. Always expect to meet 'em between Kearney and Julesburg. It's
about time they were wrecking another train. Well, so long. Be good to
each other." With this parting piece of impertinence he stumped out.

"A friendly individual, evidently," I hazarded, to tide her over her
possible embarrassment.

Her laugh assured me that she was not embarrassed at all, which proved her
good sense and elevated her even farther in my esteem.

"Oh, Jerry's all right. I don't mind Jerry, except that his tongue is
hung in the middle. He probably has been telling you some tall yarns?"

"He? No, I don't think so. He may have tried it, but his Western
expressions are beyond me as yet. In fact, what he was driving at on the
rear platform I haven't the slightest idea."

"Driving at? In what way, sir?"

"He referred to the green in his eye and in the moon, as I recall; and to
a mysterious 'system'; and gratuitously offer