t with
the rest of the Family and constrained to adopt their pace, which was
rapid. Happy, when riding alone, loved best to hump forward over the
horn and jog along slowly, half asleep.

"Something's hurting Happy," was Cal Emmett's verdict when he saw the
condition of the horse.

"He's got a burden on his mind as big as a haystack," grinned Jack
Bates. "Watch the way his jaw hangs down, will yuh? Bet yuh
somebody's dead."

"Most likely it's something he thinks is _going_ to happen," said Pink.
"Happy always makes me think of a play I seen when I was back home; it
starts out with a melancholy cuss coming out and giving a sigh that
near lifts him off his feet, and he says: 'In _soo-ooth_ I know not
_why_ I am so sa-ad.' That's Happy all over."

The Happy Family giggled and went on with their dinner, for Happy Jack
was too close for further comments not intended for his ears. They
waited demurely, but in secret mirth, for him to unburden his mind.
They knew that they would not have long to wait; Happy, bird of ill
omen that he was, enjoyed much the telling of bad news.

"Weary's in town," he announced heavily, coming over and getting
himself a plate and cup.

The Happy Family were secretly a bit disappointed; this promised, after
all, to be tame.

"Did he bring the horses?" asked Chip, glancing up over the brim of his
cup.

"I dunno," Happy responded from the stove, where he was trying how much
of everything he could possibly pile upon his plate without spilling
anything. "I didn't see no horses--but the one he was ridin'."

Weary had been sent, two weeks ago, to the upper Marias country after
three saddle horses that had strayed from the home range, and which had
been seen near Shelby. It was quite time for him to return, if he
expected to catch the Flying U wagon before it pulled out on the beef
roundup. That he should be in town and not ride out with Happy Jack
was a bit strange.

"Why don't yuh throw it out uh yuh, yuh big, long-jawed croaker?"
demanded Pink in a voice queerly soft and girlish. It had been a real
grievance to him that he had not been permitted to go with Weary, who
was his particular chum. "What's the matter? Is Weary sick?"

"No," said Happy Jack deliberately, "I guess he ain't what yuh could
call _sick_."

"Why didn't he come out with you, then?" asked Chip, sharply. Happy
did get on one's nerves so.

"Well, I ast him t' come--and he took a shot at me for it."

There