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134 fulfilled. Jib Pottoway objected. The tent brought for the girls was erected a little way from the men's camp, and the Indian stated it as his irrevocable opinion that the place for the lady visitors at night was inside the white walls of that tent.

"Ain't no place for girls on the night trick, Miss Jinny—and you know it," complained Jib. "Old Bill will hold me responsible if anything happens to you."

Twon't be the first time I've ridden around a bunch of beeves after sundown," retorted Jane Ann, sharply. "And I've promised Ruth. It's a real nice night. I don't even hear a coyote singing."

"There's rain in the air. We may have a blow out of the hills before morning," said Jib, shaking his head.

"Aw shucks!" returned the ranchman's neice. "If it rains we can borrow slickers, can't we? I never saw such a fellow as you are, Jib. Always looking for trouble."

"You managed to get into trouble the other day when you went over to the canon," grunted the Indian.

Twarn't Ruthie and me that made you trouble. And that Cox girl wouldn't dare ride within forty rods of these cows," laughed the ranchman's neice.