get properly trimmed for it," said Nora, indignantly. "Such
cheek!"

The result of the match quite exceeded Nora's fondest hopes, for the
High River team, having made the fatal error of despising the enemy,
suffered the penalty of their mistake in a crushing defeat. It was
certainly a memorable day for Wolf Willow, whose inhabitants were
exalted to a height of glory as they never experienced in all their
history.

"Serves us right," said Monteith, the High River Captain, apologising
for his team's poor display to his friend, Hec Ross, who had commanded
the Wolf Willow team. "We deserved to be jolly well licked, and we got
what was coming to us."

"Oh, we're not worrying," replied the Wolf Willow Captain, himself a
sturdy horseman and one of the most famous stick handlers in the West.
"Of course, we know that if Murray and Knight had been with you the
result would have been different."

"I am not at all sure about that," replied Monteith. "That new man of
yours, Romayne, is a wonder. Army man, isn't he?"

"Yes, played in India, I believe."

"Oh, no wonder he's such a don at it. You ought to get together a great
team here, Ross, and I should like to bring our team down again to give
you a real game."

"When?"

"Say two weeks. No. That throws it a little late for the harvest. Say a
week from to-day."

"I shall let you know to-night," said Ross. "You are staying for the
spellbinding fest and entertainment, are you not?"

"Sure thing; we are out for the whole day. Who are on for the speaking?"

"Gilchrist for one, our Member for the Dominion, you know."

"Oh, yes, strong man, I believe. He's a Liberal, of Course."

"Yes," replied Ross, "he's a Grit all right, hide-bound too--"

"Which you are not, I take it," replied Monteith with a laugh.

"Traditionally I am a Conservative," said Ross, "but last election I
voted Liberal. I don't know how you were but I was keen on Reciprocity."

"The contrary with me," replied Monteith. "Traditionally I am a Liberal,
but I voted Conservative."

"You voted against Reciprocity, you a western man voted against a better
market for our wheat and stuff, and against cheaper machinery?"

"Yes, I knew quite well it would give us a better market for our grain
here, and it would give us cheaper machinery too, but--do you really
care to know why I switched?"

"Sure thing; I'd like awfully to hear if you don't mind. We are not
discussing politics, you understand."

"No. Well,