ng. She despises that. Let's plan to sell out
here--stock, ranch, property--and leave the country. Then you'd have a
show with her."

"I told you we've got to stick," growled Lawson. "The gang won't
stand for our going. It can't be done unless you want to sacrifice
everything."

"You mean double-cross the men? Go without their knowing? Leave them
here to face whatever comes?"

"I mean just that."

"I'm bad enough, but not that bad," returned Longstreth. "If I can't
get the gang to let me off, I'll stay and face the music. All the same,
Lawson, did it ever strike you that most of the deals the last few years
have been YOURS?"

"Yes. If I hadn't rung them in there wouldn't have been any. You've had
cold feet, and especially since this ranger has been here."

"Well, call it cold feet if you like. But I call it sense. We reached
our limit long ago. We began by rustling a few cattle--at a time when
rustling was laughed at. But as our greed grew so did our boldness. Then
came the gang, the regular trips, the one thing and another till, before
we knew it--before I knew it--we had shady deals, holdups, and MURDERS
on our record. Then we HAD to go on. Too late to turn back!"

"I reckon we've all said that. None of the gang wants to quit. They all
think, and I think, we can't be touched. We may be blamed, but nothing
can be proved. We're too strong."

"There's where you're dead wrong," rejoined Longstreth, emphatically.
"I imagined that once, not long ago. I was bullheaded. Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with a rustler gang? I've changed my mind.
I've begun to think. I've reasoned out things. We're crooked, and we
can't last. It's the nature of life, even here, for conditions to grow
better. The wise deal for us would be to divide equally and leave the
country, all of us."

"But you and I have all the stock--all the gain," protested Lawson.

"I'll split mine."

"I won't--that settles that," added Lawson, instantly.

Longstreth spread wide his hands as if it was useless to try to convince
this man. Talking had not increased his calmness, and he now showed more
than impatience. A dull glint gleamed deep in his eyes.

"Your stock and property will last a long time--do you lots of good when
this ranger--"

"Bah!" hoarsely croaked Lawson. The ranger's name was a match applied to
powder. "Haven't I told you he'd be dead soon--any time--same as Laramie
is?"

"Yes, you mentioned the--the supposition," repli