"We’d better come back for th’ darlin’s after th’ coop is ready for ’em," said Tex, grinning. "If I know coyotes as well as I reckon I do, th’ harem will be a lot safer in this here shed; an’ I’m glad it’s got a board floor, too. Lend a hand here an’ we’ll change th’ cargo on this meek steed. _Gently, brother, gently pray_. Now for th’ lumber." He burst into a chant: "_I once was a bloody pirate bold, an’ I sailed on th’ Spanish Main, yo-ho! Th’ treasure chests were full of gold, which gave us all a pain you know._" He glanced at one of his hands and grimaced. "Blast th’ splinters. An’ would you look at that corn? Blessed if th’ man hasn’t got enough to feed another Custer expedition! Murphy, you certainly do grow on one!" Murphy paused with a huge armful of lumber, and looked suspicious. "On one what?" he demanded. "Prickly pear plant, I reckon, in lieu of anything else; or on a mesquite tree, perhaps, for you shore do know beans when th’ pod’s open. _An’ it stopped--short--never to go again, when th’ old--man--died,_" hummed Tex. "All aboard. Clang-clang! Clang-clang! I can still hear that bell in my sleep. Yo’re th’ engineer, Murphy; I’ll act in an advisory capacity, at th’ same time pushing hard on my very own handle. Ladies first! Miss Saunders, if you please! That’s right, for you might as well ride in state. Up you go. From your elevated position you may scan the country roundabout and give us warning of the approach of redskins. _A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, a Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread_--and fried eggs--_Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!_" "I see no redskins, Advisory Capacity," called Jane, who thoroughly was enjoying herself; "but hither rides a horseman on a horse." Tex looked up and saw a recklessly riding puncher coming toward them. He slyly exchanged grins with Murphy and kept on pushing. The rider, smiling as well as a swollen face and throbbing temples would permit, slid to a stand, removed his sombrero and bowed. "My name’s Tom Watkins," he said. "I just come down to tell you, friend, that I’ve learned what you done for me, awhile back. I’m----" Tex interrupted him. "You just came down in time, Thomas, to drop yore useful rope over that bobbin’ handle an’ head west at a plain, unornamental walk. High-heeled boots was never made for pushin’ han’ cars over ties an’ rocks. An’ I suspect Murphy of stealin’ a ride every time my head goes down." "Then I’d be cheatin’ myself," retorted Murphy, looking upon the newcomer with strong favor. "Th’ car would be after stoppin’ every time I rode, like th’ little boat with th’ big whistle." He turned to the agent. "Jerry, there’s no tellin’ how fast this car will be goin’, for I misdoubt that animal’s intentions. Suppose ye run along an’ throw th’ switch for us. Hadn’t ye better get down, miss?" "Not for the world, Tim!"