The younger man thought for a space, and a woman's words directed his reply: "I've thought of that, and I'd like to do it," he said earnestly. "But, pshaw, who will give me a try in this country?" he asked bitterly. Then he added softly: "And I won't leave these parts, not now." "You won't have to leave the country," replied the sheriff. "Why not try Blake, of the Star C?" he asked. "Blake is a shore square man, and he's a good friend of mine, too." "Yes, I reckon he is square," replied The Orphan. "But he won't take no stock in me, not a bit." "Tell him that you're a friend of mine, and that I sent you to punch for him, and see," responded Shields, examining his cinch. "Do you mean that, Sheriff?" the other cried in surprise. "Hell, yes!" answered Shields gruffly. "I'll give you a note to him, and if you watch your business you'll be his right-hand man in a month. I ain't making any mistake." "By God, I'll do it!" cried the outlaw. "You're all right, Sheriff!" "Well, I don't know about that," replied Shields, grinning broadly. "Mebby I just can't see the use of us shooting each other up, and that is what it will come to if things go on as they are, you know. I'd a blamed sight rather have you behaving yourself with Blake than bothering me with your fool nonsense and raising the devil all the time. Why, it's got so that every place I go I sort of looks for flower pots!" The Orphan laughed: "I shore had a fine time that night!" When half way to the Limping Water the sheriff said good-by to Bill and wheeled, facing in the direction of the Cross Bar-8. "Orphan, you wait for me at the ford," he said. "I'm going up to break the news to Sneed, and I'll get paper and pencil while I'm there, and write a note to Blake. I'll get back as quick as I can--so long." "So long, and good luck," replied The Orphan, heartily shaking hands with his new friend. Shields loped away and arrived at the ranch as Sneed was carrying water to the cook shack. "Hullo, Sneed! Playing cook?" he said, pulling in to a stop. "I'll play _on_ the cook if I ever get my hands on him," replied Sneed, setting the pail down. "Well, what's new? Seen Tex and the other three? I'll play on _them_, too, when they gets home! Off playing hookey from work when we all of us aches from double shifts--oh, just wait till I sees 'em sneaking in to bed! Just wait!" "You ought to give 'em all a good thrashing, they need it," replied the sheriff, and then he asked: "Got any paper, and a pencil?" He wanted his needs supplied before he broke the news, for then he might not get them. "Shore as you live I have," answered the foreman, picking up the pail and starting toward the bunk-house. "Come in and wet the dust--it's hot out here." "Let me have the paper first--I want to scrawl a note before I forget about it," the sheriff responded as he seated himself on a bunk and looked critically about him at the bullet-riddled walls and pictures.