"You see, I love her. There ain't no way of bucking out of that. So do nine out of ten of all the boys that've seen her. Which one will she pick? That's the question we all keep askin', because of all the contrary, freckle-faced devils with the heart of a man an' the smile of a woman, Sally has 'em all beat from the drop of the barrier. One feller has money; another has looks; another has a funny line of talk. But I've got the fastest gun. So Sally sees she's due for a complete outfit of black mournin' if she marries another man while I'm alive; an' that keeps her thinkin'. But if I had the price of a start in the world--why, maybe she'd take a long look at me." "Would she call one thousand dollars in cash a start in the world--and your job as foreman of my place, with twice the salary you have now?" Steve Nash wiped his forehead. He said huskily: "A joke along this line don't bring no laugh from me, governor." "I mean it, Steve. Get Anthony Bard tied hand and foot into this house so that I can talk to him safely for ten minutes, and you'll have everything I promise. Perhaps more. But that depends." The blunt-fingered hand of Nash stole across the table. "If it's a go, shake, Mr. Drew." A mighty hand fell in his, and under the pressure he set his teeth. Afterward he covertly moved his fingers and sighed with relief to see that no permanent harm had been done. "Me speakin' personal, Mr. Drew, I'd of give a lot to seen you when you was ridin' the range. This Bard--he'll be here before sunset to-morrow." "Don't jump to conclusions, Steve. I've an idea that before you count your thousand you'll think that you've been underpaid. That's straight." "This Bard is something of a man?" "I can say that without stopping to think." "Texas?" "No. He's a tenderfoot, but he can ride a horse as if he was sewed to the skin, and I've an idea that he can do other things up to the same standard. If you can find two or three men who have silent tongues and strong hands, you'd better take them along. I'll pay their wages, and big ones. You can name your price." But Nash was frowning. "Now and then I talk to the cards a bit, Mr. Drew, and you'll hear fellers say some pretty rough things about me, but I've never asked for no odds against any man. I'm not going to start now." "You're a hard man, Steve, but so am I; and hard men are the kind I take to. I know that you're the best foreman who ever rode this range and I know that when you start things you generally finish them. All that I ask is that you bring Bard to me in this house. The way you do it is your own problem. Drunk or drugged, I don't care how, but get him here unharmed. Understand?" "Mr. Drew, you can start figurin' what you want to say to him now. I'll get him here--safe! And then Sally--" "If money will buy her you'll have me behind you when you bid." "When shall I start?" "Now." "So-long, then."