tandings and differences. So I
says to myself maybe something might be done to get everybody together
and bury the differences, like this: Murray Sinclair is in town; he
feels bad over this thing, like any railroad man would. He's a
mountain man, quick as the quickest with a gun, a good trailer, rides
like a fiend, and can catch a streak of sunshine travelling on a pass.
Why not put him at the head of a party to run 'em down?"

"Run 'em down," nodded the stranger.

"Differences such as be or may be----"

"May be----"

"Being discussed when he brings 'em in dead or alive, and not before.
That's what I said to Murray Sinclair, and Murray Sinclair is ready
for to take hold this minute and do what he can if he's asked. I told
him plain I could promise no promises; that, I says, lays with George
McCloud. Was I right, was I wrong? If I was wrong, right me; if I was
right, say so. All I want is harmony."

The new man nodded approval. "Bully, Bill!" he exclaimed heartily.

"Mister," protested the lineman, with simple dignity, "I'd just a
little rather you wouldn't bully me nor Bill me."

"All in good part, Bill, as you shall see; all in good part. Now
before Mr. McCloud gives you his decision I want to be allowed a word.
Your idea looks good to me. At first I may say it didn't. I am candid;
I say it didn't. It looked like setting a dog to catch his own tail.
Mind you, I don't say it can't be done. A dog _can_ catch his own
tail; _they do do it_," proclaimed the stranger in a low and emphatic
undertone. "But," he added, moderating his utterance, "when they
succeed--who gets anything out of it but the dog?" Bill Dancing,
somewhat clouded and not deeming it well to be drawn into any damaging
admissions, looked around for a cigar, and not seeing one, looked
solemnly at the new Solomon and stroked his beard. "That is how it
looked to me at first," concluded the orator; "_but_, I say now it
looks good to me, and as a stranger I may say I favor it."

Dancing tried to look unconcerned and seemed disposed to be friendly.
"What might be your line of business?"

"Real estate. I am from Chicago. I sold everything that was for sale
in Chicago and came out here to stake out the Spanish Sinks and the
Great Salt Lake--yes. It's drying up and there's an immense
opportunity for claims along the shore. I've been looking into it."

"Into the claims or into the lake?" asked McCloud.

"Into both; and, Mr. McCloud, I want to say I favor