n to be taken lightly when he had shown mercy near the big bowlder? The
outlaw must be fair and square, reasoned the sheriff, else he would not
have looked for those qualities in another, and least of all in an
enemy. The outlaw had given him plenty of chances to kill and had thought
nothing of it, time and time again turning his back without hesitation.
True, The Orphan had covered him when his hand had streaked for his
tobacco; but the sheriff would have done the same, because the movement
was decidedly hostile, and he had been fortunate in not having paid
dearly for his rash action. The Orphan had taken a chance when he
refrained from pulling the trigger.

Charley continued: "Jimmy's outfit swear they'll have a lynchin' bee to
square things for the Kid. They are plumb crazy about it. Jimmy was a
whole lot liked by them, and the foreman is going to give them a week
off with no questions asked. They are getting things ready now."

The sheriff turned to his companion, his hazel eyes aflame with anger
at this threat of lynching when he had given plain warning that such
lawlessness would not for one minute be tolerated by him.

"We'll call on the Cross Bar-8 first, Charley, and find out when this
lynching bee is due to come off," he said, turning toward the northwest.
Charley looked surprised at the sudden change in the plans, but followed
without comment, secretly glad that trouble was in store for the ranch he
had no use for.

After an hour of fast riding they rode up to the corral of the Cross
Bar-8, and Shields, seeing a cowboy busily engaged in cleaning a rifle,
asked for Sneed, at the same time making a mental note of the preparations
which were going on about him.

The foreman, as if in answer to the sheriff's words, walked into sight
around the corral wall and stepped forward eagerly when he saw who the
caller was.

"I see that you know all about it, Sheriff," he began, hastily. "I've
just told the boys that they can go out for him," he continued. "They're
getting ready now, and will soon be on his trail."

"Yes?" coldly inquired the sheriff.

"They'll get him if you don't," assured the foreman, who had about as much
tact as a mule.

"I'll shoot the first man who tries it," the sheriff said, as he flecked
a bit of dust from his arm.

"What!" cried Sneed in astonishment. "By God, Sheriff, that's a d----d
hard assertion to make!"

"And I hold _you_ responsible," continued the sheriff, leaning forward
a