and gazed at each
other. "If that's right--" And the rancher hesitated.

"I reckon it's right," said Wingle. And he stooped and together they
lifted the body and laid it across the cowboy's horse.

Sundown watched them with burning eyes. "We'll ride back home," said
Corliss, motioning to him.

"Home? Ain't you goin' to do nothin'?"

Corliss shook his head. Sundown slowly mounted and followed them to
the Concho. He watched them as they carried Sinker to the bunkhouse.

When Corliss reappeared, Sundown strode up to him. "This here hoss
belongs to that leetle Mexican on the Apache road, Chico Miguel--said
you knowed him. I was goin' to take him back with my hoss. Now I
reckon I can't. I kind o' liked it over there to his place. I guess I
want my own hoss, Pill."

"I guess you better get something to eat and rest up. You're in bad
shape, Sun."

Sundown shook his head. "I got somethin' to do--after that mebby I can
rest up. Can I have me hoss?"

"Yes, if it'll do you any good. What are you going to do?"

"I got me homesteader papers. I'm goin' to me ranch."

"But you're not outfitted. There's no grub there. You better take it
easy. You'll feel better to-morrow."

"I don't need no outfit. I reckon I'll saddle Pill."

Sundown turned the Mexican's pony into the corral and saddled his own
horse which he led to the bunk-house. "I ain't got no gun," he said.
"The sheriff gent's got mine. Mebby you'd be lendin' me one?"

Wingle stepped to the doorway and stood beside Corliss. "What does he
want, Jack?"

"He's loco. Wants to borrow a gun." The rancher turned to Sundown.
"See here, Sun, there's no use thinking you've got to take a hand in
this. Some of the boys'll get the Mexican sure! I can't stop them,
but I don't want you to get in trouble."

"No. You come on in and eat," said Wingle. "You got a touch of sun, I
guess."

Sundown mounted. "Ain't you goin' to do nothin'?" he asked again.

Corliss and Wingle glanced at each other. "No, not now."

"Then me and Chance is," said Sundown. "Come on, Chance."

Corliss and the cook watched the tall figure as it passed through the
gateway and out to the mesa. "I'll go head him off, if you say the
word, Jack."

Corliss made a negative gesture. "He'll come back when he gets hungry.
It's a long ride to the water-hole. Sinker had sand to get as near
home as he did. It's going to be straight hell from now on, Hi."

Wingle nodded. Thr