he
Brown's Park man said, and both voice and manner were offensive.

The captain of the rangers met him eye to eye. He did not like this
fellow. His reputation was bad. In the old days he had been a rustler,
rumor said. Since the affair of the Tolliver girl he had been very sulky
and morose. This had culminated in the killing of the Ute. What the facts
were about this Harshaw did not know. The man might be enlisting to
satisfy a grudge or to make himself safe against counter-attack by
helping to drive the Indians back to the reservation. The point that
stood out was that Houck was a first-class fighting man. That was
enough.

"We mean business, Houck. Glad to have you join us. But get this
straight. I'll not have you startin' trouble in camp. If you've got a
private quarrel against any of the boys it will have to wait."

"I ain't aimin' to start anything," growled Houck. "Not till this job's
finished."

"Good enough. Hear or see anything of the Utes as you came?"

"No."

"Which way you come?"

Houck told him. Presently the two men walked back toward the
chuck-wagon.

"Meet Mr. Houck, boys, any of you that ain't already met him," said
Harshaw by way of introduction. "He's going to trail along with us for a
while."

The situation was awkward. Several of those present had met Houck only as
the victim of their rude justice the night that June Tolliver had swum
the river to escape him. Fortunately the cook at that moment bawled out
that supper was ready.

Afterward Blister had a word with Bob and Dud while he was arranging
sentry duty with them.

"Wish that b-bird hadn't come. He's here because he wants to drive the
Utes outa the country before they get him. The way I heard it he had no
business to kill that b-buck. Throwed down on him an' killed him
onexpected. I didn't c-come to pull Jake Houck's chestnuts outa the fire
for him. Not none. He ain't lookin' for to round up the Injuns and herd
'em back to the reservation. He's allowin' to kill as many as he can."

"Did anybody see him shoot the Ute?" asked Bob.

"Seems not. They was back of a stable. When folks got there the Ute was
down, but still alive. He claimed he never made a move to draw. Houck's
story was that he shot in self-defense. Looked fishy. The Injun's gun
wasn't in s-sight anywheres."

"Houck's a bad actor," Dud said.

"Yes." Blister came back to the order of the day. "All right, boys.
Shifts of three hours each, then. T-turn an' turn abo