seven, like there will be in this race, there's
always the chance of something going wrong. Chief ain't wise to starts,
nor to running in company."

"You catch 'um good start," Paul Sam advised.

"You're a wise Injun," Dorgan told him. "I'll try to be somewhere's on
the line--or in front of it. Still, I ain't quite burglar-proof."

At the fair Angus had a number of exhibits of ranch produce, cattle, and
his team of young drivers. The night before the race he had been
arranging his exhibits. This done he had supper, strolled around for an
hour, and then returned to the National House, which was the leading
hotel, in search of a man to whom he hoped to sell a few head of cattle.
He got the number of his prospective customer's room, but apparently he
had been misinformed, for the room held a poker game in full blast, the
players being Gavin and Gerald French, two somewhat hard-faced
strangers, and a young fellow about his own age whom he set down as an
Englishman.

The French boys nodded a greeting.

"Hold on a minute," said Gerald as Angus would have withdrawn. "I want
to see you."

So Angus remained, and standing behind Gerald watched the play.

One of the strangers dealt. On the draw Gerald held a full house; and
yet he dropped out, as did Gavin. The Englishman who stayed lost most of
his remaining stack. But the winning stranger did not seem elated. He
scowled at the pot as he took it in.

Wondering what intuition had bade Gerald lay down a full--for the pot
had been won by fours--Angus continued to watch the game. The deal came
to Gerald, who riffled the cards.

"Time we had a drink," said he and rising brushed past Angus to touch a
wall button. Reseating himself he began to deal.

One of the strangers opened. Gerald, as Angus could see, had nothing.
Nevertheless he stayed, drawing three cards. Everybody stayed. The
betting was brisk, and the pile of chips in the center grew. Gerald was
the first to drop out. One of the strangers and the Englishman followed
suit. Thus it was between the remaining stranger and Gavin. They
proceeded to raise each other.

"If the limit was something worth while," said the stranger, "I could
get proper action on this hand."

"It's high enough for these ranchers," the other stranger observed.
"They don't like a hard game."

"What would you like?" Gavin queried.

"If you're game to lift it, you can come after a hundred."

Gavin, reaching into his pocket, brought forth a s