shrill shout Jack was off on the jump to find Superintendent
Finnan. And fifteen minutes later the superintendent, Little Hawk, and
one of the foremen, mounted, were away on the gallop along the ranch
fence toward the point at which the Indian had seen the disappearing
horseman.

* * * * *

Alex was thoroughly exhausted when he found himself once more at the
ranch. Slipping to the ground, he entered the cabin of his own accord,
and threw himself dejectedly upon the couch.

"You've near spoiled a dinged fine rope," observed Munson, following him,
and kicking at the lariat, still stretched across the floor. "Oh, well, I
can take it out of the K. & Z.

"Now for some breakfast. Suppose you don't feel too bad to grub, eh?
Though you sure don't deserve none."

As on the previous morning, Alex and his jailer were near the conclusion
of the meal when hoofbeats again told of the approach of a visitor. Going
to the door, the cowman announced "Bennet."

"So that's his name, is it?" said Alex quickly.

"What? Did I say--Well, let it go. I don't see that it makes much
difference. Yes, Bennet's his name.

"And mighty lucky thing I have you back here," he added over his
shoulder.

"Good morning, Mr. Bennet," he said. "Caught us at breakfast again."

"Breakfast! What are you doing at breakfast this time of day?" inquired
the K. & Z. man, entering. When the cowman explained, the newcomer
glowered at Alex threateningly. "Why didn't you shoot?" he demanded.

"Too near the train. They would have heard it," responded Munson.

"Well, clear off the table. I have something I want to show you," said
Bennet, producing what looked like a map from his pocket.

"And you get off to a corner," he snarled at Alex. "Why isn't he tied
up?" he demanded of the cowboy.

"He agreed to a twenty-four hours' truce--not to make another break in
that time," the cowman answered as he swept their few dishes into the
cupboard.

Bennet's lip curled under his moustache. "And you believe him, eh?"

There was a suggestion of tartness in the cowman's prompt "Sure! He rode
behind me all the way back, on his word not to attempt anything, and kept
it. Could have pulled my own gun on me if he'd wanted to."

"The more fool," muttered the railroad man as he spread the roll of paper
on the table.

Alex meantime had stepped to the window from which he had taken the
fragment of glass, and was disconsolately watchi