." Reddy tossed a
handful on the table, where they continued to lie unnoticed.

"--there's no telling what would have happened. As 'twas the old man got
off with a--"

"Y'u bet, they're good cigars all right," broke in the propitiatory
Reddy.

The interrupted anecdote went on to a finish and the men trooped out and
left the prodigal alone with his hash. When that young man reached the
bunkhouse Frisco was indulging in a reminiscence. Reddy got only the
last of it, but that did not contribute to his serenity.

"Yep! When I was working on the Silver Dollar. Must a-been three years
ago, I reckon, when Jerry Miller got that chapping."

"Threw down the outfit in a row they had with the Lafferty crowd, didn't
he?" asked Denver.

Frisco nodded.

Mac got up, glanced round, and reached for his hat. "I reckon I'll have
to be going," he said, and forthright departed.

Reddy reached for HIS hat and rose. "I got to go and have a talk with
Mac," he explained.

Denver got to the door first and his big frame filled it.

"Don't hurry, Reddy. It ain't polite to rush away right after dinner.
Besides, Mac will be here all day. He ain't starting for New York."

"Y'u're gittin' blamed particular. Mac he went right out."

"But Mac didn't have a most particular engagement with the boys. There's
a difference."

"Why, I ain't got--" Reddy paused and looked around helplessly.

"Gents, I move y'u that it be the horse sense of the Lazy D that our
friend Mr. Reddy Reeves be given gratis one chapping immediately if not
sooner. The reason for which same being that he played a lowdown trick
on the outfit whose bread he was eating."

"Oh, quit your foolin', boys," besought the victim anxiously.

"And that Denver, being some able-bodied and having a good reach, be
requested to deliver same to the gent needing it," concluded Missou.

Reddy backed in alarm to the wall. "Y'u boys don't want to get gay with
me. Y'u can't monkey with--"

Motion carried unanimously.

Just as Reddy whipped out his revolver Denver's long leg shot out
and his foot caught the wrist behind the weapon. When Reddy next took
cognizance of his surroundings he was serving as a mattress for the
anatomy of three stalwart riders. He was gently deposited face down on
his bunk with a one-hundred-eighty-pound live peg at the end of each arm
and leg.

"All ready, Denver," announced Frisco from the end of the left foot.

Denver selected a pair of plain leather chaps w