"You see, I'm a newcomer," Wallie babbled, "and I have so many things to learn that you can teach me. I consider myself fortunate in having a neighbour of your experience, and if you will let me I shall come to you for advice often." "Don't hesitate to call on me." In Canby's eyes there was something like a glint of amusement. Wallie went on guilelessly, finding it an extreme relief, after his enforced silence, to have an ear to talk into. "The fact is," confidentially, "I may not look it but I am a good deal of a tenderfoot." "Indeed?" Canby raised a politely surprised eyebrow. "Yes," he prattled on, "I am totally ignorant of agricultural matters; but I hope to learn and make a good thing, ultimately, out of this dry-farming proposition. I've got a little money, and I intend to invest it in developing this homestead. By mixing brains with industry I hope by next fall to get an ample return upon my money and labour. I trust I am not too optimistic?" "It would not seem so," Mr. Canby replied, guardedly. "How are you fixed for horses?" "I was just going to ask you about that," Wallie exclaimed. "I want to plow, and haul some fence posts, and I shall need horses. Can you recommend a team that would suit me?" "Next Thursday at two o'clock there will be a stock sale at my place and I have no doubt that you will be able to pick up something there for your purpose." "That's splendid!" Wallie cried, delightedly. "I shall seek you out, Mr. Canby, and ask you to assist me in making a selection. I've been thinking of buying a cow, too--this is rare good luck, isn't it, to be able to purchase what I need without going so far for it!" "I shall be present--hunt me up--two o'clock, Thursday." With a smile and a nod Canby gathered up his reins and departed while Wallie with a glowing face looked after him and declared aloud: "That's what I call real Western sociability!" CHAPTER IX CUTTING HIS EYETEETH A widely advertised stock sale was an event in the country for the twofold reason that it furnished the opportunity for neighbours with fifty and more miles between them to exchange personal news and experiences and also to purchase blooded animals for considerably less than they could have been imported. This was particularly true of the Canby sale, where the "culls," both in horses and cattle, were better than the best animals of the majority of the small stockmen and ranchers. In consequence, these sales were largely attended by the natives, who drank Canby's coffee and ate his doughnuts while calling him names which are commonly deleted by the censor. It was the custom also for such persons as had a few head of horses or cattle to dispose of, but not enough for a sale of their own, to bring them to be auctioned off with Canby's. So it had come to pass that the stock sale at Canby's ranch was second only in importance to the county fair to which all the countryside looked forward.