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 for I don't wallop Amandy none, for she's the apple o' my eye."

And George wept a little, and said he'd go to bed and think over things. And to bed he went, after a drink or two. As he turned in he solemnly cursed the cowboy, who was, he felt sure, a gay seducer.

"My gallant cowboy o' the Circle X outfit—for I reckon to hev seen the brand on your pony—your time will kem to-morrow. Bill and me will round you up, and don't you forget it. To think pretty Amandy is the prey of a villain, when Bill reckons her 'll wed a millionaire!"

Now in the morning Bill got up and sang, for he still felt "all hunky," as he hadn't drunk too much in Painted Rock, and when George heard him singing he was amazingly sad, for the poor victim Amandy was all his mind. He dressed slowly, and went out to find Bill having a smoke before breakfast.

"Mornin', George," said Bill. "Hope's you're brighter thess mornin'?"

"No, I ain't brighter, not a cent's worth brighter. For now the time has kem for me