or
you. Got any food inside? Eats?" the deputy asked the Mexican. He
was answered with another affirmative shake of the head.

"Now you're all fixed up for the night. Might as well call in the
other two. What's their name again? Shannon, isn't it? Kid, you give
'em a yell. You seem to be able to do that particularly well."

Nort and Dick came riding over in response to the Kid's summons.

"Who's this you got, Kid?" asked Nort. "Some friend of yours? Why,
he's the Mexican we saw in Herb's!"

"No he isn't--that's what I thought too," Bud said. "Mr. Hawkins says
it's another--though it sure looks like him. This one's dumb."

"What do you mean--stupid?"

"No--can't talk. At least he says he can't--I mean he wants us to
understand that he can't." Bud corrected himself.

"I've got to be getting back," interrupted the deputy. "I suppose you
men will settle here, now that you've got a cook and food. That is, if
he'll cook for you and you want to take a chance that he won't poison
you. Hey, you--cook for _hombres_?"

Again that vigorous nod.

"Seems agreeable enough. Now if you want anything, you know where to
reach me. If it's at night, you'll find me down the street 'bout half
a mile from the office, on the same side. Anyone will tell you where
Joe Hawkins's place is. So long, boys. Again, good luck."

"Good-bye, Mr. Hawkins. We're much obliged to you for riding over with
us."

"Glad to do it, Bud. Any time at all. Git along there, bronc.
_Adios_!"

"So-long!"

"'Bye!"

"At last we're here," Nort declared. "No trace of anyone around; hey
Bud? Wonder what became of them. I wouldn't mind seeing our little
friend with the sawed-off shot-gun again."

"Let's not look for trouble," Dick suggested. "I think what happened
was that this fellow you call 'J. D.' decided to take the opportunity
to get out without trouble. I don't believe we'll see him again."

"Maybe not. We've got enough to worry about without him. Kid, suppose
you take charge of getting things ready for the night. Those sheep
won't be here for a week or so, and in the meantime we can fix things
up a bit. To-morrow I'll go scouting around for a good sheepman.
There ought to be plenty in town. All right, Kid, we're under your
orders."

"Check! Nort, you take the horses to the corral and see that they get
fed. I guess you'll find some feed around somewhere--there's a barn
down there a piece--look there. Dick, you