''My Gawd !" moaned Texas Pete.
"Who left the bars down?" inquired Idaho.
"Shut up," cautioned Colby. "That feller's likely to be boss around here."
"He won't never boss me," said Shorty, "not with thet funny hat on. I wonder could I crease it,°" and he reached for his gun.
"Don't git funny, Shorty. They's friends o' Miss I-tenders," whispered Colby. "It'd only make her feel bad."
He could not have hit upon a stronger appeal to these men. Shorty lowered his hand from the butt of his gun and almost at once work was resumed. When Corson joined them he could not have guessed that he was the object either of ridicule or pity, though he was—of both.
"Say, Colby," he said. "Saddle up a couple of safe horses for Miss Manill and me, and wait around until she comes out. I want you to give her
