ud knew him well, and he spoke up:

"Well, what then?" he asked.

"Oh, the hunter left for New York the very next day, and I skinned the
bear and sent the pelt after him as a present. When I wrote out my
quarterly report, the foreman not being back yet, I told the Old Man that
if he had any more friends what wanted to go hunting to send them up to
Frenchy McAllister on the Tin Cup. I was some sore at Frenchy for the
way he had cleaned me out at poker."

He threw the skin to the floor and began to undress.

"Come on, now, lights out," he said. "I'm tired."

CHAPTER XIV

THE SHERIFF STATES SOME FACTS

The foreman of the Star C impatiently tossed his bridle reins over the
post which stood near the sheriff's door and knocked heavily, brushing
the dust of his ride from him. Quick, heavy steps approached within the
house and the door suddenly flew open.

"Hullo, Tom!" Shields cried, shaking hands with his friend. "Come right
in--I knew you would come if we coaxed you a little."

"You don't have to do much coaxing--I can't stay away, Jim," replied Blake
with a laugh. "How do you do, Mrs. Shields?"

"Very well, Tom," she answered. "Miss Ritchie, Helen, Mary, this is Tom
Blake; Tom, Miss Ritchie and James' sisters. They are to stay with us just
as long as they can, and I'll see that it is a good, long time, too."

"How do you do?" he cried heartily, acknowledging the introduction. "I
am glad to meet you, for I've heard a whole lot about you. I hope you'll
like this country--greatest country under the sky! You stay out here a
month and I'll bet you'll be just like lots of people, and not want to
go back East again."

"It seems as though we have always known Mr. Blake, for James has written
about you so much," replied Helen, and then she laughed: "But I am not
so sure about liking this country, although very unusual things seem to
take place in it. The journey was very trying, and it seemed to get worse
as we neared our destination."

"Well, I'll have to confess that the stage-ride part of it is a drawback,
and also that Apaches don't make good reception committees. They are a
little too pressing at times."

"But, speaking seriously," responded Helen, "I have had a really
delightful time. James has managed to get me a very tame horse after
quite a long search, and I have taken many rides about the country."

"Wait 'til you see that horse, Tom," laughed the sheriff. "It's warranted
not to raise any devilme