The young rider wore a new brown corduroy suit, and a long fur coat, the skirts of which were drawn up awkwardly above a pair of high riding boots and tucked under the rider's legs. A pair of shining silver spurs adorned the heels of the boots, while a sealskin cap crowned a head covered with closely cropped hair darker than Ross's. His eyes also were darker and his figure, although of the same height, was more slender than Ross's. He was also, apparently, a couple of years younger. The two boys nodded at each other, Ross with awkward cordiality and interest, the stranger carelessly and with unmistakable condescension. Swinging himself out of the saddle he said pleasantly but commandingly: "Take my coat inside, please." He shed his fur coat and pulled off his fur-lined gloves and tossed both into Ross's arms, while Hank, watching the proceeding out of the tail of an amused eye, talked with Wilson. Ross, biting his lips, backed into the shack and tossed coat and gloves on the end of the table near Weston. The boy, following his moves from the doorway, pointed at the prostrate man, asking in a surprised and subdued voice: "What ails him?" "Broke his leg," responded Ross shortly, not relishing the touch of lordliness in the other's manner. "How did he do it?" demanded the stranger. "Horse fell on him," answered Ross, and returned abruptly to his work with the plaster. Weston lay with his blanket drawn up to his chin and one arm thrown over his face and ear, his face turned to the wall. He was breathing regularly as though in sleep, although Ross knew he was wide awake. This was a favorite position with him when Hank was entertaining guests. It saved him the trouble of responding to inquiries, and, as Ross had come to suspect, might also serve to avert a chance recognition. Presently Wilson approached the dugout, leaving the boy in the corral rubbing down his mount. One arm was thrown in rough affection over Hank's shoulder while the two pulled each other about like two boys at play. "I tell you, Hank!" Wilson exclaimed at the door, "this is what ye might call God's country, and I always have a feelin' of gettin' home in these parts. But, Jehoshaphat! it didn't look a spell ago as if I'd ever strike the trail to the mountains again. It looked like as if I'd have to throw up my claims and----" "Sh!" interrupted Hank tiptoeing into the shack. "Guess he's asleep, ain't he?" He explained over his shoulder in a hoarse whisper. "Chap named Weston that come this way three weeks ago and bust his leg out in front, here. Hoss fell on him." Wilson, who followed at Hank's heels, looked Weston over with friendly but detached interest. "On the mend, is he?" asked the newcomer subduing his voice with difficulty.