“You mean you’d rather have the cattle driven there instead of to Eagles?” Teddy interrupted. “That’s it. If they went to Eagles they’d have to go by the regular route. You get the idea?” “Partly--partly.” Mr. Manley hitched his belt up and glanced about him. “Reckon your price entitles you to have ’em driven where you want ’em, within reason. Teddy, just get my account book, will you? It’s in the top drawer of my desk. I want to put this all down.” “That’s the way I like to do business,” Peterson declared a trifle importantly. “Have everything in black an’ white. I been in this game now for eleven years, an’ I never lost nothin’ yet by puttin’ it on paper.” Then, as Teddy returned with the notebook, he began to tell the items off on his fingers: “First, I gave you five hundred dollars deposit. Second, you agreed to post a five hundred dollar forfeit, to become mine in case of non-delivery. Third, six hundred head of your best cattle. Fourth, they’re to be delivered at Red Rock. I’ll let you know the exact time later.” “An’ fifth, it looks a mite like rain,” Mr. Manley drawled, closing his book. “All right, Mr. Peter Peterson. I’ll see that your orders are obeyed to the letter.” “I didn’t mean to sound like a sergeant,” Peterson said uneasily. “Just wanted to make certain you had it all straight.” “Sure! I know. Well, I reckon I have. Course, I’m a new man at this game, you might say, an’ I appreciate any advice from a man who knows more than I do.” “So?” A light appeared in Peterson’s eyes, then died down, like a door suddenly closed to conceal the entrance of the house from passers-by. “I kind of thought you hadn’t been at this so long. You ain’t got the look of a veteran rancher. Well, I hope we succeed in puttin’ this deal through.” “Hope so,” Mr. Manley repeated, smiling innocently. “Well, so long, Mr. Peterson. Thanks!” “You’re welcome,” Peterson replied pompously. “Always like to help anyone. Cattle dealing is a risky business. There’s always some crook in it trying to get the best of an honest man.” “That’s right,” Mr. Manley agreed solemnly. “You can’t be too careful.” Mr. Peterson nodded, and mounted his pony which had been standing quietly near by. Then, waving his hand genially, he rode off. “He cuts quite a figure, according to himself,” Teddy laughed. “So you’re a new hand at this game, Dad?” “I couldn’t help that,” Mr. Manley said, grinning. “He was too allfired sure and certain of everything. And a man with a hand-shake like his always did set me on my ear.” “Felt like a piece of mutton,” Roy commented. “He wanted to tie you up tight with his forfeit, didn’t he, Dad?” “Oh, well, we don’t have to worry about that. We’ll make delivery all right. The thing that strikes me funny is wantin’ the cattle driven to Red Rock instead of Eagles. His story of the cars he’s rentin’ sounds fishy. It’s much cheaper to send them over the regular route. But that’s his business. Belle Ada get to the 8 X 8 all right?”