"What brought you hoodlums to town?" asked Fanning. "You fellers act scared of Gunsight. Ol' Dailey got you buffaloed?" "I reckon it's th' twenty miles," said Slim, dragging a table up to the one then in use. "Hey, George! Can't you move faster'n that?" "Go roll in a ditch," came the polite reply. "Well," said Wilkes, "we was ridin' near th' east line when we discovers we was goin' to be late for supper, an' th' ranchhouse bein' near twenty miles, an' th' town only a couple, we votes for a _ho_-tel feed an' a session in Dave's." He turned toward the kitchen. "Hey, George! We saw dust above th' Sherman trail an' figgers it's Buffalo. Is he due tonight? Thought I'd tell you so you could get ready for th' old codger." George stuck his head in the doorway. "Any more hard luck comin' this evenin'?" he demanded. "Can't somebody trail in after him so I can keep on a-workin'?" "You get back in there an' go to work!" warned Thompson. "We're hungry!" Wolf arose, paid his bill, and took up his hat. "Well, I'm off. So-long, fellers," and he strolled out. "Which ain't causin' me no tears," muttered Slim. "He likes us 'bout as well as we like him. Here comes th' cook. Good for you, George!" When the Double X squad had nearly finished, the rumble of a wagon was heard, rapidly getting nearer. Soon it passed the side of the hotel, and ceased. "There's Ol' Allus-Late!" grumbled George. "I'll give him a hand," said Johnny, arising and going out. "It'll save you time." "Don't strain yoreself on _my_ account," replied George. "Hello, Buffalo!" said Johnny, starting to unhitch. "I'll put these boys in th' shed an' you go eat. George is ready for you. You can feed 'em later. If you'll trust me, I'll do it for you; I watched you last time." "Much obliged, sonny," smiled the old man. "Yo're right obligin', but I allus eat last. They've done good today, considerin' th' load, an' nothin's too good for 'em." "Thought you came back light?" "Got near a load of hides--can't you smell 'em?" "I shore can; but I'm so slow witted they didn't mean anythin' to me. Green, too?" he suggested. "Yep," replied the freighter. "Picked 'em up all along; but I won't get no more this trip. Th' Triangle won't have none--an' I ain't goin' to go out of my way to call at th' Bar H. Got enough, an' I'm goin' right through. I'm allus glad to git home." "I bet you are," replied Johnny. "Ain't anythin' more I can do, is there?" "No, sonny; thankee. I appreciate yore help. I ain't as young as I used ter be, nor as quick. Thankee; good night." Johnny went to the saloon, where a sudden outburst of voices told him he would find Fanning and the Double X men. As he opened the door a roar of laughter greeted him. "Cussed if that ain't rich!" shouted Slim, jumping up and down. "Th' Doc stole from his peaceful fireside. Oh! Ho! Ho! An' to 'tend to his _friends_, th' SV! By th' Lord! Mebby we'll do it over again, ourselves, sometime, when we feel extra good!"