trouble to find out if the
railroad branch line I'd have to use had good cattle pens and loading
chutes. Lots of lines haven't."

"You spilled a mouthful of good beans right there," commented Snake
Purdee.

"So," resumed Mr. Merkel after nodding at Snake, "liking the first
once-over I gave the ranch, I investigated further. It had plenty of
good grazing ground, lots of water, and there's a range of hills that
will keep off the cold winds in winter. Barter's cattle--what I saw of
'em--looked to be in good shape. So, having satisfied myself, I made
him an offer for the place, we dickered a bit and then closed. So he
vamoosed off Dot and Dash and I went on and took possession."

"But did you come away, Dad, and leave no one in charge?" asked Bud, in
surprise.

"Oh, no," was the answer. "I hired Tim Dolan, the foreman who worked
for Barter, to remain in charge until I could send you boys down to get
your hands in."

"Was this here Dolan anxious to stay?" asked Billee, slowly.

"Well, no, now you mention it, he did seem in a hurry to get away,"
admitted Mr. Merkel. "Though I didn't pay any attention to it at the
time. He said he had another job, and----"

"Most everybody that goes to Death Valley does get another job,"
commented Billee, dryly. "But go on, Boss."

"Well, that's about all there is to tell," said Mr. Merkel. "I bought
Dot and Dash and hurried home here to get Bud, and some of the boys to
go down and take charge. And when I get here I find you practicing
circus stunts."

"I'm through that stuff, Dad, if you got a real job for me!" exclaimed
Bud.

"You'll get a real job all right, and then some," muttered Old Billee.

"Go on! Spill it!" begged Bud. "What you talking to yourself for?
Broadcast it, Billee!"

"Oh, I'll tell you all I know, if your father is through," voiced the
veteran puncher.

"Yes, I'm through, Billee," said Mr. Merkel. "Let's hear your good
news."

"'Tain't good news, and there's no use pretendin' it is!" snapped the
aged cowboy. "If I'd known you was dickerin' for any ranch near Los
Pompan, Boss, I'd 'a' told you to lay off. But it's too late for that
now, it seems, so I can only warn you to keep away."

"But I've bought it and paid for it. Barter has my money and----"

"Let him keep it, Boss."

"And lose the ranch and the cattle on it?"

"Better to lose your money than to lose your life," muttered Billee.
"As for the cattle, you'll find fewer of 'em th