train."

"I can fix that. Then I was thinkin': No! my hoss is lame. I got to
ride a strange hoss, which I'm gettin' kind o' used to. But if you'll
keep your eye on my hoss while I'm gone, it'll ease me mind
considerable. You see he's been with me reg'lar and ain't learned no
bad tricks. If the boys know I'm gone and get to learnin' him about
buckin' and bitin' the arm offen a guy and kickin' a guy's head off and
rollin' on him, and rarin' up and stompin' him, like some, they's no
tellin' what might happen when I get back."

Corliss laughed outright. "That's so. But I guess the boys will be
busy enough without monkeying with your cayuse. If you put that
homestead deal through, you can have any horse on the range except
Chinook. You'll need a team, anyway, when you go to ranching."

"Thanks, boss, but I'm gettin' kind of used to Pill."

"Pill? You mean Phil--Phil Sheridan. That's your horse's name."

"Mebby. I did try callin' him 'Phil.' It went all right when he was
standin' quiet. But when he got to goin' I was lucky if I could holler
just 'Whoa, Pill!' The 'h' got jarred loose every time. 'Course,
bein' a puncher now,"--and Sundown threw out his chest,--"it's
different. Anyhow, Pill is his name because there ain't anything a doc
ever give a fella that can stir up your insides worse 'n he can when he
takes a spell. Your head hurtin' much?"

"No. But it will be if you don't get out of here." And Corliss
laughed and waved his hand toward the door.

CHAPTER XVII

THE STRANGER

Sundown, maintaining a mysterious and unusual silence, prepared to
carry out his employer's plans. His preparations were not extensive.
First, he polished his silver spurs. Then he borrowed a coat from one
of the boys, brushed his Stetson, and with the business instinct of a
Hebrew offered Hi Wingle nine dollars for a pair of Texas wing chaps.
The cook, whose active riding-days were over, had no use for the chaps
and would have gladly given them to Sundown. The latter's offer of
nine dollars, however, interested Wingle. He decided to have a bit of
fun with the tall one. He cared nothing for the money, but wondered
why Sundown had offered nine dollars instead of ten.

"What you been eatin'?" he queried as Sundown made his bid. "Goin'
courtin'?"

"Nope," replied the lean one. "Goin' east."

"Huh! Expect to ride all the way in them chaps?"

"Nope! But I need 'em. Heard you tell Bud you paid ten dollar