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90 We jumped down and made out the necessary forms. I paid the fees and then, O'Regan, Paddy and I all went over the Ahlers' to have a drink.

As we neared the pub, I saw Hughes sitting on the piazza. He looked up at us with a contented smile on his face.

"Been to Buchanan?" he asked.

"No," I answered.

"Thought you were going."

"So I was."

"Ho!"

His over-confidence was too blissful to disturb. I watched him saunter off to Cameron's. We went into the bar and were talking over the day's doings, when the clatter of hoofs brought us all out on the verandab.

Their horses white with dust and sweat, Kinnear and Wonnacott were riding into camp. When they saw us, they almost dropped from their saddles. They came no nearer than Cameron's, where Hughes came out to meet them, his face wide open with glee.

"Well?" he cried.

"You be damned," snapped Wonnacott.

Hughes's jaw dropped. "Why, what's up?" he demanded.

"You drunken fool! You've lost Buchanan, that's what's up!"

Then, they all disappeared into Cameron's, Hughes last and looking as if he feared that his possum too might turn on him.