'll fix it so he can
own a half-interest in it at less than it cost me, and that will give
him a good job to hold down for the rest of his life. It'll be something
for him to tie to in case of squalls, but there ain't much danger of his
becoming unsteady, because if he was at all inclined to that sort of thing
he would be dead now.

"This ain't no fly-away notion, as you know. I've had an itching for a
good ranch for several years, and for just about that length of time
I've had my eyes on the A-Y. I was going to buy it when Crawford gobbled
it up at that fancy price and I felt a little put out when he took up
his option on it, but I'm glad he did, now. Why, Reeves sold out to
Crawford for almost three times what I am going to pay for it, and it
has been improved fifty per cent. since he has had it. But, of course,
there was more cattle then than there is now. You get me that herd at
a good figure and I'll be able to take care of them very soon now, just
as soon as I close the deal. But, mind you, no Texas cattle goes--I don't
want any Spanish fever in mine.

"I'm thinking some of putting Charley in charge temporarily, just as
soon as Sneed gets some men, and when The Orphan takes it over things will
be in purty fair shape. I won't move out there because my wife don't
like ranching--she wants to be in town where she is near somebody, but
I'll spend most of my time out there until everything gets in running
order. Oh, yes--in consideration of the five thousand down at the time
the papers are signed, Crawford has agreed to leave the ranch-house
furnished practically as it is, and that will be nice for Helen and The
Orphan if they ever should decide to join hands in double blessedness.
You used to have a lot of fun about the high-faluting fixings in your
ranch-house, but just wait 'til you see this one! An inside look around
will open your eyes some, all right. It is a wonder, a real wonder!
Running water from the windmills, a bath-room, sinks in the kitchen, a
wood-burning boiler in the cellar, and all the comforts possible. If
Crawford tries to move all that stuff back East it would cost him more
than he could get for it, and he knows it, too. It's a bargain at twice
the price, and I'm going to nail it. I can't think of anything else."

"Well," replied Blake, "I don't see how you could do anything better,
that's sure. It all depends on the price, and if you're satisfied with
that, there ain't no use of turning it down.