ed a point opposite Abel Meeker's cabin.
Jean espied the same curiosity from behind Meeker's door and windows as
had been shown all along the road. But presently, at Isbel's call, the
door opened and a short, swarthy man appeared. He carried a rifle.

"Howdy, Gass!" he said. "What's the good word?"

"Wal, Abel, it's not good, but bad. An' it's shore started," replied
Isbel. "I'm askin' y'u to let me have your cabin."

"You're welcome. I'll send the folks 'round to Jim's," returned
Meeker. "An' if y'u want me, I'm with y'u, Isbel."

"Thanks, Abel, but I'm not leadin' any more kin an' friends into this
heah deal."

"Wal, jest as y'u say. But I'd like damn bad to jine with y'u.... My
brother Ted was shot last night."

"Ted! Is he daid?" ejaculated Isbel, blankly.

"We can't find out," replied Meeker. "Jim says thet Jeff Campbell said
thet Ted went into Greaves's place last night. Greaves allus was
friendly to Ted, but Greaves wasn't thar--"

"No, he shore wasn't," interrupted Isbel, with a dark smile, "an' he
never will be there again."

Meeker nodded with slow comprehension and a shade crossed his face.

"Wal, Campbell claimed he'd heerd from some one who was thar. Anyway,
the Jorths were drinkin' hard, an' they raised a row with Ted--same old
sheep talk an' somebody shot him. Campbell said Ted was thrown out
back, an' he was shore he wasn't killed."

"Ahuh! Wal, I'm sorry, Abel, your family had to lose in this. Maybe
Ted's not bad hurt. I shore hope so.... An' y'u an' Jim keep out of
the fight, anyway."

"All right, Isbel. But I reckon I'll give y'u a hunch. If this heah
fight lasts long the whole damn Basin will be in it, on one side or
t'other."

"Abe, you're talkin' sense," broke in Blaisdell. "An' that's why we're
up heah for quick action."

"I heerd y'u got Daggs," whispered Meeker, as he peered all around.

"Wal, y'u heerd correct," drawled Blaisdell.

Meeker muttered strong words into his beard. "Say, was Daggs in thet
Jorth outfit?"

"He WAS. But he walked right into Jean's forty-four.... An' I reckon
his carcass would show some more."

"An' whar's Guy Isbel?" demanded Meeker.

"Daid an' buried, Abel," replied Gaston Isbel. "An' now I'd be obliged
if y'u 'll hurry your folks away, an' let us have your cabin an'
corral. Have yu got any hay for the hosses?"

"Shore. The barn's half full," replied Meeker, as he turned away.
"Come on in."

"No. We'll wait till you've