heriff
up to now? Is he going to have a picnic out on Crawford's ranch? He asked
me if he could have the lend of the stage on an off day some time soon.
Wants me to drive it for him out to the A-Y and back. I don't know what
his game is, and I don't care none. I'll do it, all right. But what's he
going to do out there, anyhow?"

Blake laughed: "Oh, nothing bad, I reckon. You'll probably learn all about
it as soon as the rest of us. How do you expect me to know anything about
it? Mebby he is going to have a picnic out there for all we know. The
A-Y is a good place for one, ain't it?"

"You just bet it is," cried Bill. "Your ranch is all right, Blake, but I
like the A-Y better. It's got windmills and everything. Finest grove near
the ranch-house that I ever saw, and I've seen some fine groves in my
time. Old man Crawford knew a good thing when he saw it, all right.
Here comes Charley Winter like he had all day to go nowhere--he's got a
good job with the Cross Bar-8, but I wouldn't have it for a gift--no,
sir, money wouldn't tempt me to be one of that outfit. But I reckon
it's some better out there than it once was since the sheriff and The
Orphant amputated its inflamed fingers. Hullo, Charley," he cried as the
newcomer drew rein. "I was just telling Blake what a good job you have
got with Sneed."

"Hullo, you old one-hoss driver," grinned Charley. "Hullo, Tom," he cried.
"Looking for the sheriff?"

"Hullo, Charley," said the foreman, shaking hands with Sneed's substitute
puncher. "Yes, I am. Do you know where he is?"

"He's out at the Cross Bar-8, giving Sneed a talking to," Charley
answered. "Bucknell went and got loaded again last night, raised h--l
in town and out of it all the way home. He thought he wanted to shoot
up The Orphan, so he was some primed. Jim is telling Sneed to hold him
down to water and peace unless he wants to lose him. He'll be in soon,
though. How's The Orphan getting on out at your place?"

"Fine!" answered Blake, his face wearing a frown. "But I'm some sorry
about that fool Bucknell, though. He may get on a spree some day and
_find_ The Orphan. I don't want any more gunplay, and if that idiot does
find him and gets ambitious to notch up his gun another hole, there'll
shore be some loose lead. If he ever gets on Star C ground, and I catch
him there, I'll shore enough wipe up the earth with him, and when you
see him, just tell him what I said, will you? It ain't no joke, for I
will."

"Sh