takin' his word for it. Silver? Not on
your life. The sheriffs got after him. He hadn't a friend in the world.
He lit out a-foot and got as far as Denver city an' aboard a train.
Leastwise, under a baggage car, stealin' a ride. Course he got hurt.
Happened the Boss, he was on hand. He's a way of bein' when other folks
is in trouble. Heard the feller's story. Had knowed him out east and
'lowed he was more fool than knave. Long-short was--S' Leon swopped
owners. The first named had had to take his medicine an' I've been told
he took it like a little man. The Boss paid in full, on condition 't all
hands round got their level dues. Atterwards, the Boss made this a
dumpin'-ground for all the down-in-the-world unfortunates he knew.

"The doctor's one. He was just dyin' back yonder, same as Miss
Melton. Doc, he took the place o' book-keeper, sort o' manager--I
claim to be that myself--but to do anything needed. The's always
somebody gettin' broke, legs, an' arms, and such. But as for gineral
sickness, why there ain't never been none o' that to San Leon. No
wonder that Dan Ford's a prosperous man! He lives his religion--he
ain't no preachin'-no-practice-sky-pilot, the Boss, he ain't.

"Ma'am? Like to see where the boys hang out? Well, come along. If things
ain't the way I'd like to have 'em, you c'n allow 't I'm the only one's
been in the ranks. Yes, Ma'am. I have that. Used to belong to a crack
comp'ny out home and was one the picked men to shoot at Seagirt, New
Jarsey. The National Rifle Range, Ma'am, as maybe you know. I've scored
highest, more 'n once. That's how I come to sort o' set up in business
out here. Shootin' an' hosses; them's my business; and every tenderfoot
strikes S' Leon comes under my teachin' first or last."

With that remark he cast a critical eye upon the assembled young folks
and noted the kindling gleam of seven pairs of eyes. Only Jim Barlow's
blue orbs were missing; but, of course, that nurse or doctor had made
him stay in bed, which was a shame, the others thought, and Dorothy
loyally expressed:

"Course! That's one the things we're all wild to do--learn to handle a
rifle. But don't let's begin till Jim gets well."

A curious expression passed over Mrs. Ford's face. She was the only one
present who knew of Jim's midnight escape. The knowledge had almost
miraculously been kept from Lemuel and by the master's express orders.
Whatever that talkative ranchman knew, all the world knew, as fast as
hi