s intention
to buy a fine barometer, an instrument that could be accurately depended
on. But the barometer suggested the present condition of the weather and
the likelihood of rain. In such case, much was to be done in the way of
getting the seed ready and overhauling his ploughs and drills. He had
not been away from the house in two days. It was time to be up and
doing. He determined to put in the afternoon "taking a look around,"
and have a late supper. He would not go to Los Muertos; he would ignore
Magnus Derrick's invitation. Possibly, though, it might be well to run
over and see what was up.

"If I do," he said to himself, "I'll ride the buckskin." The buckskin
was a half-broken broncho that fought like a fiend under the saddle
until the quirt and spur brought her to her senses. But Annixter
remembered that the Trees' cottage, next the dairy-house, looked out
upon the stables, and perhaps Hilma would see him while he was mounting
the horse and be impressed with his courage.

"Huh!" grunted Annixter under his breath, "I should like to see that
fool Delaney try to bust that bronch. That's what I'D like to see."

However, as Annixter stepped from the porch of the ranch house, he was
surprised to notice a grey haze over all the sky; the sunlight was
gone; there was a sense of coolness in the air; the weather-vane on the
barn--a fine golden trotting horse with flamboyant mane and tail--was
veering in a southwest wind. Evidently the expected rain was close at
hand.

Annixter crossed over to the stables reflecting that he could ride the
buckskin to the Trees' cottage and tell Hilma that he would not be home
to supper. The conference at Los Muertos would be an admirable excuse
for this, and upon the spot he resolved to go over to the Derrick ranch
house, after all.

As he passed the Trees' cottage, he observed with satisfaction that
Hilma was going to and fro in the front room. If he busted the buckskin
in the yard before the stable she could not help but see. Annixter found
the stableman in the back of the barn greasing the axles of the buggy,
and ordered him to put the saddle on the buckskin.

"Why, I don't think she's here, sir," answered the stableman, glancing
into the stalls. "No, I remember now. Delaney took her out just after
dinner. His other horse went lame and he wanted to go down by the Long
Trestle to mend the fence. He started out, but had to come back."

"Oh, Delaney got her, did he?"

"Yes, sir.