ed Fisher, seething double from anger.

"Five dollars more for contempt of court," pleasantly responded Mr.
Townsend. "As Justice of the Peace of this community I must allow
no disrespect, no contempt of the sovereign law of this town to go
unpunished. That makes it eight-seventy-five."

"An' to think I lost my gun!" shouted Fisher, dancing with rage. "I'll
get that cayuse out an' I won't pay a cent, not a damned cent! An' I'll
get you at the same time!"

"Now you dust around for fifteen dollars even an' stop yore contempt
of court an' threats or I'll drill you just for luck!" rejoined Mr.
Townsend, angrily. "If you keep on working yore mouth like that there
won't be nothing coming to you when I sell that cayuse of yourn. Turn
around an' strike out or I'll put you with yore ancestors!"

CHAPTER XIV

THE STRANGER'S PLAN

Fisher, wild with rage, returned to the Paradise and profanely unfolded
the tale of his burning wrongs to the bartender and demanded the loan of
his gun, which the bartender promptly refused. The present owner of the
gun liked Fisher very much for being such a sport and sympathized with
him deeply, but he did not want to have such a pleasing acquaintance
killed.

"Now, see here: you cool down an' I'll lend you fifteen dollars on that
saddle of yourn. You go up an' get that cayuse out before the price
goes up any higher--you don't know that man like I do," remarked the man
behind the bar earnestly. "That feller Townsend can shoot the eyes out
of a small dog at ten miles, purty nigh. Do you savvy my drift?"

"I won't pay him a cussed cent, an' when he goes to sell that piebald at
auction, I'll be on hand with a gun; I'll get one somewhere, all right,
even if I have to steal it. Then I'll shoot out _his_ eyes at ten paces.
Why, he's a two-laigged hold-up! That man would--" he stopped as a
stranger entered the room. "Hey, stranger! Don't you leave that cayuse
of yourn outside all alone or that coyote of a marshal will steal it,
shore. He's the biggest thief I ever knowed. He'll lift yore animal
quick as a wink!" Fisher warned, excitedly.

The stranger looked at him in surprise and then smiled. "Is it usual for
a marshal to steal cayuses? Somewhat out of line, ain't it?" he asked
Fisher, glancing at the bartender for light.

"I don't care what's the rule--that marshal just stole my cayuse; an'
he'll take yourn, too, if you ain't careful," Fisher replied.

"Well," drawled the stranger, smiling