ister clutched his arm. "No, no, Bert! You mustn't! You
shan't!"

"I shall and will! So should you--all! Whoever they are they're
friendly. Else old Lem wouldn't have seemed so pleased and led 'em off
with his best 'hep, hep, hep,' that way. I'll bet they're Utes, good
neighbors of the white ranchers, but they're genuine Indians all the
same and I'm going to see them. My! But I did feel mighty weak in the
knees for a minute! I thought it was all up with yours truly. Come on, I
say!"

He really wished to follow but, evidently, he also wished to have his
courage bolstered by the presence of his mates.

Oddly enough it was Monty who first joined Herbert. He was still half
afraid, yet also wild with curiosity. His was the least war-like spirit
there, but he couldn't withstand this knowledge at first hand of real,
live Indians.

One after another they all followed. In any case they would be safer
among the ranchmen than here in this lonelier spot, and Lemuel's manner
had been quite different from fear.

As they slowly passed around the house, whose corner hid the Barracks
front view, they were wholly reassured. The lawn was wide and a good
distance was still between them and the red-skinned visitors, but they
could see all that was going on. The Indians had all dismounted, a lot
of the cowboys had come forward to meet them, and the fine horses they
rode were being led off to a still more distant and disused corral.
Here the animals were turned loose, their blankets and trappings
removed, and the ranchmen themselves at once setting to work to rub the
fine creatures down and to supply them with ample fodder for the night.
A big trough in the corral, through which running water was always
piped furnished them with drink; and the entrance being secured, the
attendants went back to the Barracks' porch, that extended from one
end to the other of the long, low building.

Upon the porch floor the blankets were spread and the Utes squatted on
them, greatly pleased at their reception. Pipes were lighted and smoked,
Captain Lem and several others joining in what looked to be a ceremony
of welcome. A few of the ranchmen hurried to the Barracks' kitchen and
prepared supper for the visitors, and after this was eaten by the
strange guests, sitting where they were under the porch roof, the
discarded pipes were again resumed and some sort of palaver followed.

In this talk Silent Peter took the leading part. He was escorted by
Capta