Buck walked to the bar and was followed by Hopalong, who declined his foreman's offer to treat. Tom Lee set a bottle at Buck's elbow and placed his hands against the bar. “Friend of yourn just hit the back trail,” he remarked to Hopalong. “He was primed some for trouble, too,” he added. “Yaas?” Drawled Hopalong with little interest. The proprietor restacked the few glasses and wiped off the bar. “Them's his pardners,” he said, indicating the pair on the table. Hopalong turned his head and gravely scrutinized them. Porous was bemoaning the death of Slim Travennes and Hopalong frowned. “Don't reckon he's no relation of mine,” he grunted. “Well, he ain't yore sister,” replied Tom Lee, grinning. “What's his brand?” Asked the puncher. “I reckon he's a maverick, 'though yu put yore brand on him up to Santa Fe a couple of years back. Since he's throwed back on yore range I reckon he's yourn if yu wants him.” “I reckon Tex is some sore,” remarked Hopalong, rolling a cigarette. “I reckon he is,” replied the proprietor, tossing Buck's quarter in the cash box. “But, say, you should oughter see his rig.” “Yaas?” “He's shore a cow-punch dude--my, but he's some sumptious an' highfalutin'. An' bad? Why, he reckons th' Lord never brewed a more high-toned brand of cussedness than his'n. He shore reckons he's the baddest man that ever simmered.” “How'd he look as th' leadin' man in a necktie festival?” Blazed Johnny from across the room, feeling called upon to help the conversation. “He'd be a howlin' success, son,” replied Skinny Thompson, “judgin' by his friends what we elevated over in th' Panhandle.” Lanky Smith leaned forward with his elbow on the table, resting his chin in the palm of his hand: “Is Ewalt still a-layin' for yu, Hopalong?” He asked. Hopalong turned wearily and tossed his half-consumed cigarette into the box of sand which did duty as a cuspidore: “I reckon so; an' he shore can hatch whenever he gets good an ready, too.” “He's probably a-broodin' over past grievances,” offered Johnny, as he suddenly pushed Lanky's elbow from the table, nearly causing a catastrophe. “Yu'll be broodin' over present grievances if yu don't look out, yu everlastin' nuisance yu,” growled Lanky, planting his elbow in its former position with an emphasis which conveyed a warning. “These bantams ruflle my feathers,” remarked Red. “They go around braggin' about th' egg they're goin' to lay an' do enough cacklin' to furnish music for a dozen. Then when th' affair comes off yu'll generally find they's been settin' on a door-knob.”