e end of the month for
his work, as he was doing it of his own accord, and needn't expect any
pay for it. After a week he signed the pledge, came around to see me,
and said that he wished to apologize, and that he would never touch
another drop of whisky. I told him that on those conditions he could
keep his place, but that I would keep his written pledge to show to you,
so that if he ever broke it you would know what to do."

"That's right, my boy, that's right. It don't pay to be too harsh.
Always give a man a chance. You were fortunate in not having any more
trouble than that."

"Well, I did have several other little difficulties which did not
amount to much of anything; but at least a score of big, rough fellows
are waiting for you two to return home in order to get a chance to enter
your employ."

"Well, we'll need a few more men, Jack, for we are going to buy another
thousand head of cattle and rush them down to the ranch as soon as
possible. How has the store been getting along?"

"It's been doing fine. I've done a good business, and the trade is
growing fast."

"Any cattle thieves been getting in their work?"

"Well, I haven't heard of any, and I have had the cattle rounded up
three or four times and counted them; but I haven't much faith in the
accuracy of the count. I am beginning to suspect that both ranches have
lost a few, for I fear that the cowboys haven't kept as strict a watch
as they should have done. One day three big, rough follows came into the
store and wanted to raise a rough house, and I requested one of my
cowboys to go in there with me and help me to preserve the peace. Do you
remember that fellow whose name was Nick Henderson?"

"Yes, I know him," said Terry. "Did he stand by you all right?"

"You can bet he did. I wouldn't swap him for any of the cowboys I've
seen since I landed here. He doesn't understand the science of boxing,
but he does know how to use his muscles and no mistake, for he fanned
out two of those fellows with bare fists. One of them wanted to use his
gun, but I drew mine, and said that I would shoot first; so Nick just
cleaned out both of them, and I believe he is like you and Mr.
Fearnot--not afraid of anything. He is now said to be the best man on
either ranch, and he feels proud of the name."

Jack pointed out the house which he assigned to the carpenters, saying
that they had built bunks, brought down their own blankets and cooking
utensils, and that they were