between this building and
the livery stable. The marshal hasn't thought of posting any guards
there, and Ike's horse is tied in the alley, and you're to take him and
make a dash out the front way, right through the crowd. He says they'll
all fall over each other and be so scared that they won't think to shoot
till you've had a chance to get away."

As the girl talked she could see that the Texan's eyes twinkled and when
she finished, his shoulders were shaking with silent mirth: "Good old
Ike!" he chuckled. "You tell him I say he's a bear!"

"He said it would be fun to see them trample over each other getting out
of the way."

"I'll sure see that he gets his money's worth," grinned the Texan.

A troubled look crept into the girl's face: "You won't--_hurt_ anyone?"
she asked.

The man shook his head: "Not onless some of 'em don't get out of the
road. Might knock down a few with the horse, but that won't hurt 'em to
speak of. It wouldn't pain me none to knock that marshal about half ways
down the street--not for anything he's done to me, but because I've got
a hunch he talked pretty rough to you."

"Oh, I hope it's all right," whispered the girl, "do you really think it
will work?"

"Work! Of course it'll work! I've got it all pictured out right now.
It's a peach! Just you get off to one side far enough so's not to get
caught in the rush, an' you'll see some fun. Tell Ike not to forget to
put up an awful howl about losin' his cayuse, just to make the play
good."

"Do you think he's really sincere--that it isn't just a trick to get you
out where they can shoot you? How long have you known this Ike Stork?"

"Dead sure." The Texan's tone was reassuring, "known him a good
half-hour. You ought to seen those eyes of his when he thought I was
goin' to shoot him--never flinched a hair. He's a good man, told me to
hurry up an' make a job of it."

The girl held out her hand: "Good-bye, Tex--till day after tomorrow."

The cowboy took the hand and pressed it fiercely: "You're goin' to be
there, too? That'll make it harder--but--all right."

"Remember," smiled the girl, "what I said about there being loads of
other girls."

"Too bad you hadn't been born in the West, so Win would never known
you--then--maybe----"

"What shall I tell our friend the marshal?" interrupted the girl.

The Texan grinned: "Just tell him not to order any extra meals sent down
to the jail on my account. An', here, tell him the drinks are on