"I'm aimin' to hold a herd ag'in' it; it'll save men. Now, we're aimin' to start on th' west end first, before anybody knows what's up," and the _segundo_ sketched the operations as he had planned them. Leaving as soon as he could, he was crossing the kitchen when Margaret stopped him. "You told father about Doctor Reed coming against his will?" she asked. "Why, yes, Ma'am; did I trample on anythin'?" "It doesn't matter--only I hoped to keep that from him. It pleased him so to think the hostility was dying out." "Ma'am, I'm shore sorry, but I didn't know that. An' it's all right, too, for th' hostility _is_ dying out." "It's perfectly all right. Where do you expect to cook; and what are you doing with Two-Spot?" "We aim to cook on th' range, Ma'am; an' Two-Spot is goin' to be our tally man. He was plumb tickled at th' chance to help." "Can't you cook here? Or, better yet, can't I cook for you? I would like to do something." "Well, at first we'll not be near enough to th' house for th' boys to have time to ride in for meals," Cimarron replied. "You see, as we move over th' range, our cook moves with us, which saves time. Mebby when 'we work close at hand you can cook a meal for us--but I'm sayin' that you don't know what yo're tryin' to get into. I'll be leavin' now, Ma'am. If you hears anythin', or sees anythin' that you don't understand, don't you worry none. I'm goin' out to start th' boys. Good afternoon. Ma'am." She watched him join the riders and saw them, with chuck wagon and horse herd, drive down toward Green Valley, noisy with cheerful laughter and shouted jests. They passed around a hill and became lost to her sight, and soon the voices could be heard no more. "Margaret!" came an excited, impatient call from the front room. "Yes, Father; I'm coming," she answered, turning and entering the house. "It begins to look like people are getting friendly," he exclaimed, smiles playing on his drawn face. "Perhaps things will change, and we can make the ranch a success!" "'Luck always turns,'" she smiled. "Are you getting to believe in luck?" he demanded. "'I do; when somebody's behind it pushing hard,'" she replied, turning her face away. "Are you crying my dear?" he exclaimed, but she had left the room. * * * * *