urious smile lit his eyes. He knew well enough that the other
had more than fathomed the meaning of those preparations. He was glad
he had made no attempt to conceal them. That sort of thing was never
his way. He had nothing to conceal from his friend.

"I had a few chores to git fixed," he said easily, indicating the
horses. "They'll sure need a good feed before daylight, I guess."

The Padre pointed at his belt and revolvers.

"And you're sleeping in--them."

"Guess I'm not sleepin'--to-night."

"No--I suppose not."

The Padre looked into the strong young face with a speculative glance.

Buck returned his look with a sudden eagerness.

"You heard?" he asked sharply.

"I've heard--Mercy is back."

Buck watched him turn away to continue his survey of the horses.

"So have you--I s'pose," the older man went on a moment later,
indicating the horses.

"Yep. Guess they'll need to do a long journey soon. Mebbe--to-night."

"Caesar?" said the Padre.

"Both," returned Buck, with an emphasis, the meaning of which could
not well be missed.

The Padre's eyes were smiling. He glanced round the tumbled-down old
barn. They had contrived to house their horses very comfortably, and
Buck kept them wonderfully cared for. These things appealed to him in
a way that made him regret many things.

"Who's riding--my plug?" the Padre asked deliberately.

Buck shrugged.

"Why ask?" he said doggedly. "Who generally does? I don't seem to
guess we need beat around," he went on impatiently. "That ain't bin
our way, Padre. Guess those hosses are ready for us. They'll be ready
night an' day--till the time comes. Then--wal, we're both goin' to use
'em."

The younger man's impatience had no disturbing effect upon the other.
But his smile deepened to a great look of affection.

"Still chewin' that bone?" he said. Then he shook his head. "What's
the use? We're just men, you and I; we got our own way of seeing
things. Twenty years ago maybe I'd have seen things your way. Twenty
years hence no doubt you'll see things mine----"

"Jest so," Buck broke in, his eyes lighting, and a strong note
suddenly adding force to his interruption. "But I'm not waitin' twenty
years so's to see things diff'rent."

"That's what I should have said--twenty years ago."

Buck's face suddenly flushed, and his dark brows drew together as he
listened to the calm words of his friend. In a moment his answer was
pouring from his lips in a hot tide which s