n to th'
bottom of his money chest to buy a hoss like that. I'll go an' tell Sing."

Drew, coffee mug in hand, sat down at a table where some of the breeze
beat in the door now and then. Lord, he was really tired. He stretched out
his legs, and the sun made twinkly points of light on the rowels of the
Mexican spurs. Sipping the coffee, he allowed himself the luxury of not
doing any thinking at all.

Fowler brought a heaping plate and Drew began to eat.

"Oh, there you are!" Nye slammed in, swung one of the chairs about, and
sat on it back to front, his arms folded across the back.

"You ridin' out to tell the army we're here--with the horses?" Drew asked.

"Nope, caught sight of them ridin' in. Looked like Sergeant Muller was in
command--he'll come in here. Hey, Fowler, how's about another plate of
fodder?"

"Steady on, fella. Make it straight ahead now!"

Both of them looked up. A burly man wearing sergeant's stripes steered a
slighter figure before him through the open door. Johnny Shannon, a
bandage about his uncovered head, lurched as if trying to free himself
from the other's grip and caught at a chair back. Nye and Drew jumped up
to ease him into a seat.

"What's--?" began Nye.

Muller interrupted. "Found him crawlin' along right near town. Says as how
he was took by Kitchell 'n' got away, but he ain't too clear 'bout what
happened or where. Wearin' a crease 'longside his skull; maybe that
scrambled up his thinkin' some."

"Better get Doc Matthews. I think he's in town." Fowler came from the bar,
a glass in hand.

"Right. I'll go." Nye started out.

Johnny had slumped forward, his head on the table encircled by his limp
arms. Drew was puzzled. Shannon was supposed to have ridden south on the
Range, not north. What was he doing this far away from the water-hole
route? Had he found a trail which led him in this direction? Or had he
been jumped somewhere by Kitchell's pack of wolves and forced along for
some purpose of their own?

"Was he ridin', Sergeant?" Drew asked, hardly knowing why.

"No--footin' it. Said somethin' about Long Canyon after we gave him a pull
at a canteen. Sure came a long way if that's where he started."

"I'll go get Hamilcar. He knows somethin' 'bout doctorin'," Fowler cut in.
"Maybe Doc Matthews ain't here, after all."

"Hey, Sarge, can I see you a minute?" came a hail from without.

"You manage." Muller made it more order than request as he left.

Drew sat alone with Sh