hing,
upstanding, bright-bay three-year-olds, of which he was very proud. Jean
had never seen them in harness--indeed they had been harnessed less than
a dozen times--and he anticipated her pleasure in them, for she loved
horses. He put up and fed the colts at the livery stable, had his
dinner, made some purchases, and as it was nearly time for the river
steamer on which Jean would arrive, turned toward the stable to hitch
up.

As he turned a corner he met Garland, Blake French, and several other
young men. Apparently they were out on a time, for none of them were
entirely steady upon their legs. Blake French, however, was much the
worst.

In the years that had passed the French family had not changed their
habits. The ranch was still a hang-out for every waster in the country.
But the young men were away a great deal in the summer and fall,
following the various local races. They had two or three good horses,
and seemed to find the sport profitable. Also they had achieved a rather
unenviable notoriety. They had all been mixed up more or less in various
rows, but somehow these matters had been hushed up. Nobody desired to
incur the enmity of a family which was supposed to have money, and one
way and another a good deal of influence.

Angus would have passed, but Garland stopped him, asking him to come and
have a drink. Angus refused civilly, and Blake sneered.

"It won't cost you anything," he said thickly.

"I don't drink," Angus said shortly.

"Do you do anything?" Blake sneered. "Do you have any fun at all?"

"What I have is my own business," Angus returned, his temper beginning
to ruffle.

Blake French, his brow lowering, caught him by the lapel of the coat.
"Are you telling me to mind my own business?" he demanded.

"That will be plenty of that sort of thing," Angus told him. "Let go,
now, and don't pull me about."

But Blake, being surly and quarrelsome even when sober, gave the lapel a
savage jerk, and reached out with his other hand. Angus caught his
wrist, and brought a stiffened forearm across his throat. At the same
moment he stepped forward, crooked his right leg behind Blake's left
knee and threw his full weight against him. Blake went down hard, but
was up in an instant and made a staggering rush. Angus dodged.

"Take care of him, you!" he said to Garland. "I don't want to hit him."

Blake's friends closed in on him, and Angus made his escape. He was glad
to get clear so easily, for he had n