"I didn't know Slade was into this," Brill stated softly. "There's no proof of that. Not a shred." "No more than there's any proof that Harris is behind these rewards," Carson said. "But you know that Slade is out to wreck the Three Bar since they've planted squatters there." The storekeeper failed to respond. "There's likely a dozen men looking for Harris right now," Carson prophesied. "But it's hard for one of 'em to get within ten miles of the ranch," Brill observed. "So while they're maybe looking for him it's right difficult to see him that far off." "I don't mind admitting that I'm for Harris--as against Slade," Carson said. "Just between us two I don't mind confessing that I'm neutral--as against everything else," Brill returned. "Now you know how I'm lined up. Do I get that quart?" Carson urged. "I knew how you was lined up months back." Brill turned on a dry smile. "I ain't told a soul till right now," Carson objected. "So how could you know?" "You didn't need to tell. As soon as that rumor leaked out it was a cinch where you'd stand. And a hundred others are crowding on to the same foothold along with you." "And why not?" Carson demanded. "Who wants to get a thousand plastered on his scalp? It would tempt a man's best friends." "Or scare 'em off," the storekeeper commented. "Which is all the same in the end." A half dozen men clattered up in front and surged through the door. More arrivals followed as the regular afternoon crowd gathered before the bar. There were many jobless hands drifting from one ranch to the next, "grublining" on each brand for a week or more at a time during the slack winter months. Carpenter rode up alone. Brill lowered one lid and jerked his head toward Carson. "Broke--and reformed," he said. "Maybe." Some minutes later Carp bought the thirsty man a drink. "You looking for a job?" he asked. "I can use you down my way." Carson was well versed in the bends of the devious trail and Carp's ways smacked of irregularities. Carson had ideas of his own why the other man was allowed to start up an outfit down in Slade's range. One day Carp's name would be cited on the black list. As diplomatically as possible he refused the offer of a job. The storekeeper smiled as he noted this. Carson had turned into a solid citizen almost overnight. As Carp left him and joined another group Brill poured Carson a drink. "You're a fair risk at that--as long as you stay cautious," he remarked. "I'll stake you to a horse and saddle. You can ride the grubline with the rest of the boys till spring and get a job when work opens up." He slid a bottle across the bar. "Here's your quart." He stood looking after him as Carson moved to a table and motioned several others to join him over the bottle.