ood assistants as it is possible to find.

"I don't wish to tire you with any long speech, for brevity is the soul
of more than wit, so I will close by telling you that the A-Y is in new
and better hands--our sheriff is now its owner, and I extend to him my
heartiest wishes for his success in his new venture. I must thank him and
all of you for a very pleasant day and a memory to take East with me."

For an instant there was intense silence, and then a small battle seemed
to be taking place. The noise of the shooting and cheering was deafening
and smoke rolled down like a heavy fog. The sheriff met the rush toward
him and put in a very busy few minutes in shaking hands and replying
to the hearty congratulations which poured in upon him from all sides.
Everybody was happy and all were talking at once, and Bill could be heard
reeling off an unbroken string of words at high speed.

The Orphan fought his way to his best friend and gripped both hands in his
own.

"By God, Sheriff!" he cried. "This is great news, and I'm plumb glad to
hear it! I hope you have the very best of luck and that your returns, both
in pleasure and money, far exceed your fondest expectations. Anything I
can do is yours for the asking."

"Thank you, son," replied the sheriff, looking fondly into his friend's
eyes. "I'm going to call on you just as soon as I can make myself heard
in all this hellabaloo. Just listen to that!" he exclaimed as Silent let
loose again.

"Glory be!" yelled he of the misleading name, slapping Humble across the
back. "For this you ride home like a white man, Humble--all your sins are
forgiven! Hurrah for the sheriff, his family and the A-Y!" he shouted at
the top of his lungs, and his cheer was supported unanimously with true
cowboy enthusiasm and vim.

"Hurray for me, too!" shouted Bill in laughter. Then he fled, with Silent
in hot pursuit.

The sheriff tried to speak, and after several attempts was finally given
silence.

"Thank you, everybody!" he cried, his face beaming. "I am happy for many
reasons to-day, but foremost among them is the fact that I have so many
warm and loyal friends. The A-Y is always open to all of you, and I'll be
some disappointed if you don't put in a lot of your spare time over here."

He paused for a few seconds and then looked at The Orphan, who stood at
Helen's side.

"Mr. Crawford did his part a whole lot better than I can do mine, I'm
afraid, but I'm going to do my best, anyhow. Th