n', 'thout rounds,
seconds or referee. When one of us hits the ground it'll likely be fo'
keeps."

"I ain't seen you so riled up in a long time, old-timer. An' I'm backin'
you fo' winner, at that. Jest the same, me an' Sandy'll do a li'l'
refereein' fo' the sake of fair play."

"I can hear you two gossipin' old wimmin gabbin' clear up to the top of
the hill an' down to the crick," added a third voice as Sandy glided in,
materializing from the darkness.

"Anythin' doin'?" asked Sam.

"No, an' there won't be long as you air yo' voices. You play like an
angel on that mouth harp of yores, Sam, but you talk like a rasp. Mormon
booms like a bull frawg."

They settled down again to their watch. The Great Bear constellation
dipped down, scooping into the darkness beyond the opposing hill.

"Pritty close to midnight," said Sam at last. "What's the ..."

Sandy's grip on his arm checked him, all senses centering into
listening.

The three stared blankly into the night, while their hands sought gun
butts and loosened the weapons in their holsters. Out of the blackness
came little foreign sounds that they interpreted according to their
powers. The tiny clink of metal, the faint thud of horses' hoofs, an
exclamation that had barely been above the speaker's breath floated up
to them through the stillness. The glow of the lantern showed through
the tent wall.

"Two riders," mouthed Sandy so softly that Mormon and Sam swung heads to
catch his words. "Came up the valley t'other side of the crick. Both
crossed it above the tent. Reckon they're visitin' us. One of 'em's
comin' this way."

They crouched, breathless now, listening to the soft padded sounds that
told of the approach of man and horse. These ceased. Still they could
see nothing. Then there came a sharp shrill whistle, answered from the
levels. Followed instantly the thud of galloping ponies going at top
speed, parallel, one between the watchers and the tent as they saw the
swift shadow shade the glow for an instant, the other between the tent
and the creek. There was a sharp swishing as of something whipping
brush.

"Yi-yi-yippy!" The cries rang out exultant as the horses dashed by the
tunnel. The light in the tent wavered, went out. There was a shout of
surprise and dismay, a _twang_ like the snapping of a mighty bowstring
and then came the whoops of the trio from the Three Star as they
realized what the attempt had been and how it had failed.

Two riders, tra