Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/193

 the heavy sand, slowing up as they neared the arroyo. Ben chuckled:

"I don't believe that hombre saw us; he was too busy gettin' the rope on the calf to take a look around. We'd 'a' seen his head a bobbin' up by this time if he was expectin' us, and a wavin' of us off. Of course," he added, "there's a chance that he's brandin' his own stock."

Their horses' feet made no sound in the sand, and they rode to the edge before they checked them, where they stood looking down at Kansas Ed industriously fanning a small collection of sticks into flame while he kept an eye on the cow, who had more than half a mind to charge him. The brand she wore was Blakely's.

"I thought so." Ben nodded grimly, then called: "Hello there!"

Instinctively Kansas Ed's hand sought his hip. Then his first startled look changed to a grin, which was half embarrassment, half bravado.

"Oh, hello! Kinda got the drop on me, Ben."

Ben replied dryly: