aimed in self-condemnation and relief when he saw that
no women were present. "We're regular land pirates, ain't we?"

"You'll be asking to play poker yet, or have a race," jabbed Humble with
malice. "You ain't got no sense and never did have any."

"Huh!" retorted Jim belligerently, "I won't try to learn a Chinee cook
how to play poker and get skinned out of my pay, anyhow! Got enough?"
he asked, "or shall I tell of the time you drifted into Sagetown and
asked----"

"Shut up, you fool!" whispered Humble ferociously. "Yu'll get skun if you
say too much!"

"'Skun' is real good," retorted Jim. "Got any more of them new words to
spring on us?"

Helen had been passing to and fro past the window and Docile Thomas here
put his marveling into words, for he had been casting covert glances at
her, but now his restraint broke.

"Gee whiz!" he exclaimed in a whisper to Jack Lawson. "Ain't she a regular
hummer, now! Lines like a thoroughbred, face like a dream and a smile
what shore is a winner! See her hair--fine and dandy, eh? She's in the
two-forty class, all right!" he enthused. "Why, when this country wakes
up to what's in it the sheriff will have to put up a stockade around this
house and mount guard. Everybody from Bill up will be stampeding this way
to talk business with the sheriff. No wonder The Orphan has got a bee
in his bonnet--lucky dog!"

"She can take care of my pay every month just as soon as she says the
word," Jack replied. "But suppose you look away once in a while? Suppose
you shift your sights! You, too, Humble," he said, suddenly turning on
the latter.

"Me what?" asked Humble, without interest and without shifting his gaze.
"What are you talking about?"

"Look at something else, see?"

"Shore I see," replied Humble. "That's why I'm looking. Do you think I
look with my eyes shut! Gee, but ain't she a picture, though!"

"She shore is, but give it a rest, take a vacation, you chump!" retorted
Jack. "You're staring at her like she had you hoodooed. Come out of your
trance--wake up and make a fool of yourself some other way. Don't aim all
the time at her. Mebby Lee Lung has killed your dog!"

"If he has we'll need a new cook," replied Humble with decision.

"Come on, boys! Don't start milling!" cried the sheriff, suddenly entering
the room. "Dinner's all ready and waiting for us. And I shore hope you
have all got your best appetites with you, because Margaret likes to
see her food taken care of li