Page:Patches (1928).pdf/271

 to be our Lieutenant Colonel?" inquired Long Tom as he gathered up the cards and began shuffling.

"Why, don't you know," returned Pony who was something of a reader, "why, he's a rich New York gent and if all we read about him is true he's a real guy. Why, he scared the entire New York police force out of their boots when he was police commissioner. Then he came out to northwestern Missouri and went into the ranch business. He's a regular cow-puncher, he is, and the bad men of Missouri were as afraid of him as good folks are of the devil. He's a regular guy all right and we can bank on him."

"He's good enough for me, then," replied Long Tom.

"Me, too," said Larry.

Presently as Larry noted that his friends had begun another rubber he arose and said casually, "If you gents will excuse me for a few minutes guess I will go back to the observation car. I want to see the sun sink behind the old Sierras once more and I want to say good-night to the Wyoming hills."

"That's right, son," said Long Tom, "allus stick to your colors and be faithful to the homeland."

"So long, Larry," said Pony affectionately, "we'll meet you in half an hour in the dining car."

To his great joy Larry found the observation car entirely deserted and he sat down where he had a