est to the explanation of the veteran.

"Tozer of himself would turn you over sound in limb and body; but, since
it was the Sioux who done all the work, as you have showed us, Bill had
to make a sort of compromise with the villain, and that compromise was
that you should be left with Motoza till the hour come fur you to be
produced. That was the price Bill had to pay Motoza fur what he done. It
wasn't Tozer, but the Sioux, that was fixing things so as to starve you
to death."

The cowman spoke with a deliberation and seriousness that left no doubt
he believed every word uttered, and the boys were convinced he was
right.

"Bill is as mean as they make 'em," added Hazletine, "but he'd rather
grab a pile of money than kill a chap he don't like. It's t'other way
with the Sioux. He likes money well 'nough, fur he knows it'll buy
firewater, but the sweetest enjoyment he can have is to revenge himself
on a person he hates, and from what I've heard he hates you as hard as
he knows how."

"There is no doubt of that," said Jack; "I shall never forget the
expression of his face when Fred made him give up my rifle."

Fred was thoughtful a moment, and then asked:

"Hank, what do you mean to do about Tozer?"

"Wal, until I larned your story I was fixed to shoot him on sight."

"But what of the agreement you would have to make before he gave me up?"

"I'd kept that the same as the other folks, but it wouldn't be long
afore I'd git a chance to pick a quarrel with him over other matters,
and then it would be him or me; and," added the cowman, with a grim
smile, "I don't think it would be me."

"Do you still hold to that resolve?"

"I can't say that I do. I don't see that Bill meant any hurt except to
make some money out of you, and he couldn't help taking chances on that.
If he could have had his way he'd turned you over to us as well as when
you left; so I think I'll wait to see what his next trick is to be afore
I draw a bead on him. I'll take another plan--I'll give him the laugh."

"Give him the laugh!" repeated the wondering Jack Dudley; "what do you
mean by that?"

"I'll meet him here to-morrer morning, and, after we've talked a while,
let him see you or know how things stand, and then I'll just laugh at
him till I drop to the ground and roll over on my back. Won't he feel
cheap?"

The conceit was so odd that both boys smiled.

"That certainly is a curious way to punish a man for doing a wrong. It
seems to me th