Page:Bob Chester's Grit.djvu/165



" you look more as though you belonged in Fairfax," declared one of the loungers as Bob joined them.

"All except the clothes and hat," grunted Higgins. "Say, you won't have any trouble getting a job if you go just as you are. Any rancher would hire you to scare coyotes away from the home ranch."

This sally at his expense sent a hot flush to Bob's cheeks, but, remembering the agent's advice to give back better than he received, he retorted:

"If there were any such jobs around, I should think they'd pay you double wages!"

"Now will you try to get fresh with a tenderfoot?" asked one of the others when their laughter at Bob's sharp rejoinder had subsided.

"I ain't trying to get fresh," returned Higgins. "I'm just feeling the boy out. The sooner he gets used to Fairfax ways, the better."

But Bob's retort evidently inspired in him a