ss any of us has store halos
about us, an' halos is the only things'll keep any feller safe when
sheriffs get around."

A murmur of approval greeted his argument. Few of the men in the camp
desired the presence of a sheriff in their midst. There were few
enough among them who would care to have the ashes of their past
disturbed by any law officer. Beasley had struck the right note for
his purpose.

"How'd you put this Jonah out, Beasley?" cried Diamond Jack.

Beasley thought for a moment.

"How'd I put her out?" he said at last. "That's askin' some. How'd I
put her out? Say," his face flushed, and his eyes sparkled, "ef I had
my way I'd burn every stick o' that dogone farm. Then she'd light out.
That's what I'd do. I ain't got no use for Jonahs. An' I say right
here I'd give five hundred dollars to see her back turned on this
place. I tell you, boys, an' I'm speakin' for your good, an' mine, if
she stops around here we're goin' to get it--we'll get it good. The
Lord knows how it's goin' to come. But it's comin', I feel it in my
bones. It's comin' as sure as my name's Beasley."

He threw such a sincerity and earnestness into his manner that he made
a marked impression. Even Curly Saunders, who, with one or two of the
older hands, had some sort of regard for the girl they believed had
founded their fortunes, was not quite without doubts. There was no
question but mischief did seem to hang about the farm. Ike and Pete
had been popular enough. The newer people had no sentiment on the
matter, but they listened with interest to the saloon-keeper, feeling
that his was the voice of the leading citizen. Besides, the matter of
the sheriff's coming was not pleasant. Many had spent a great part of
their lives avoiding such contact.

"Seems to me you're forgettin' that gal brought us our luck," the Kid
suggested impulsively. "You were ther' when we handed her the----"

"Death's-head," laughed Beasley. Then his face hardened. "Tcha!" he
cried with some heat. "You make me sick. I told you then, as I tell
you now, it was that storm brought us our luck, an' it brought us our
Jonah with it. If you'd got a cent's worth of grit that gal 'ud go. We
don't wish her harm. I ain't one to wish a gal harm. But go she must
if we want to be quit of trouble. Still, I'm on'y just sayin' what I
feel. It don't matter a heap. Ther's the sheriff comin' along to grab
some one for murder. Maybe he'll chase up a few other rackets to fill
in his tim