ld work up
a trade by advertisin' to some of them Eastern folks that eats nothin'
tougher for breakfast than them quakin'-oats and buns and coffee. Get
along, you red hoss."

About six o'clock that evening Sundown arrived at the deserted ranch.
He unsaddled and led the horse to water. Then he picketed him for the
night. Returning, he prepared a meal and ate heartily. Just as the
light faded from the dusty windows, Chance, who was curled in a corner,
rose and growled. Sundown strode to the door. The dog followed,
sniffing along the crack. Presently Sundown heard the shuffling tread
of a horse plodding through the sand. He swung open the door and stood
peering into the dusk. He saw a horseman dismount and enter the
gateway. Chance again bristled and growled. Sundown restrained him.

"Hello, there! That you, Jack?"

"Nope. It's me--Sundown from the Concho."

"Concho, eh? Was headed that way myself. Saw the dog. Thought mebby
it was Jack's dog."

"Goin' to stop?" queried Sundown as the other advanced, leading his
horse.

"Guess I'll have to. Don't fancy riding at night. Getting too old."
And the short, genial-faced stranger laughed heartily.

"Well, they's plenty room. Had your supper?"

"No, but I got some chuck along with me. Got a match?"

Sundown produced matches. The other rolled a cigarette and studied
Sundown's face covertly in the glow of the match. In the flare Sundown
beheld a thick-set, rather short-necked man, smooth-shaven, and of a
ruddy countenance. He also noticed that the stranger wore a coat, and
at once surmised that he was neither cowboy nor herder.

"Guess I'll stake out the hoss," said the man. "See you later."

Chance, who had stood with head lowered and neck outstretched, whined
and leaped up at Sundown, standing with paws on his master's chest and
vainly endeavoring to tell him something. The dog's eyes were eloquent
and intense.

Sundown patted him. "It's all right, Chance. That guy's all right.
Guess I know a good face when I see one. What's the matter, anyway?"

Chance dropped to his feet and stalked to his corner. He settled
himself with a lugubrious sigh, as though unwillingly relinquishing his
responsibilities in the matter.

When the stranger returned, Sundown had a fire going. "Feels good,"
commented the man, rubbing his hands and surveying the room in the glow
that flared up as he lifted the stove-lid. "On your way in?"

"Me? Nope. I'm goi