"I can use you down my way."

Carson was well versed in the bends of the devious trail and Carp's
ways smacked of irregularities. Carson had ideas of his own why the
other man was allowed to start up an outfit down in Slade's range. One
day Carp's name would be cited on the black list. As diplomatically as
possible he refused the offer of a job.

The storekeeper smiled as he noted this. Carson had turned into a
solid citizen almost overnight. As Carp left him and joined another
group Brill poured Carson a drink.

"You're a fair risk at that--as long as you stay cautious," he
remarked. "I'll stake you to a horse and saddle. You can ride the
grubline with the rest of the boys till spring and get a job when work
opens up." He slid a bottle across the bar. "Here's your quart."

He stood looking after him as Carson moved to a table and motioned
several others to join him over the bottle.

"That's about the tenth reformation that's transpired under my eyes in
as many days," Brill mused. "Give us time and this community will turn
pure and spotless. I don't mind any man's owing me if he stands a fair
show to go on living."

The sheriff dropped in for one of his infrequent visits to Brill's. He
waved all hands to a drink.

"I've just been out to the Three Bar to see Harris," he announced.
"And asked him about this news that's been floating about. He came
right out flat and says he's not offering a reward. That's all a
mistake."

Every man in the room grinned at this statement. There was no other
possible reply that Harris could make.

"Of course," the sheriff said reflectively. "Of course there's just a
chance that Cal lied to me."

"He lied all right," Carp prophesied. "I'd bet my shirt he'll stand to
pay the price for every man that's cited on that list."

"Shaw," the sheriff deprecated. "That's dead against the law, that is.
He can't do that."

"He will do it," Carp predicted. "If I was on that list I'd be moving
for somewheres a long ways remote from here."

"Then you'd better be starting," Alden counseled mildly. "For Harris
was just telling me that your name had got mixed up with it. Morrow's
name has sprung up too. Cal seemed mystified as to how it had come
about for he says you and Morrow never rode with the others on the
list. He couldn't figure how this thing come to start."

"Figure!" Carp snapped. "He figured it out himself, who else? Are you
going to stand for his putting