r."

He turned to Johnny, laughing.

"Them outcasts was sure snaky. We near wasted the whole bunch. Had to
string 'em out and let 'em run so they thought they was getting away
or they'd ha' broke back into the brush."

"Two bull fights started already," observed Johnny. "Your
Sunday-School bulls are hunting up the wild ones, just a-snuffin'."

"The boys will keep 'em a-moving," said Cole. "Dines, you ride your
own horses, so I reckon you're not drawing pay from the ninety-seven
piney-woods brands you're lookin' out for. Just turning their cattle
in a neighborly way?"

"Someone had to come."

"Well, then," said Cole, "how would you like a Bar Cross mount?"

Slow red tinged the olive of Johnny's cheek, betraying the quickened
heartbeats.

"You've done hired a hand--quick as ever I throw these cattle back
home."

"Wouldn't Walter Hearn cut out your milk-pen brands as close as you
would?"

"Sure! He's one of the bunch."

"Your pay started this morning, then. Here's the lay. To-morrow we
work the herd and start the west-bound strays home. Walt can throw in
with the S S Bar man and I'll send Lon along to represent the Bar
Cross. Hiram goes to the John Cross work, at the same time helpin'
Pink throw back the John Cross stuff. So that leaves us shy a short
man. That's you. Send your horses home with Walt."

"I'd like to keep one with me for my private."

"All right. Leave him at the horse camp. Can't carry any idlers with
the _caballada_--makes the other horses discontented. You drift into
the wagon early, when you see the horse herd coming. I'm goin' to send
you to the horse camp to get you a mount. We'll cut out all the lame
ones and sore backs from our mounts too. I'll give you a list of fresh
ones to bring back for us. You go up to Engle after supper and then
slip out to Moongate to-morrow. We'll be loadin' 'em at Engle when you
get back. No hurry; take your time."

He rode on. Behind him the most joyous heart between two oceans
thumped at Johnny's ribs. It is likely that you see no cause for
pride. You see a hard job for a scanty wage; to Johnny Dines it was
accolade and shoulder stroke. Johnny's life so far had been made up
all of hardships well borne. But that was what Johnny did not know or
dream; to-day, hailed man-grown, he thought of his honors, prince and
peer, not as deserved and earned, but as an unmerited stroke of good
fortune.

The herd, suddenly roused, became vociferous with query and rum