Page:The Cow Jerry (1925).pdf/223

 "It's between you and them," Jim told them, his hands out of it completely. He rode off to one side to better express his complete severance and division from the affairs of the two Kansas deputies.

"This feller says no kind of a badge but one with U.S. on it goes on this side of the line," said Hank. "Is that right, Jim?"

"Sure it's right," Jim replied. "Perry ought to know that—he's been hangin' around the sheriff's office long enough."

"We ain't got no jurisdiction here," Perry admitted, shaking his doleful head.

The two drew off to discuss the matter between them, Tom watching them curiously, with a sort of impatient disdain.

"I wouldn't give five hundred bucks for them darned cows and take 'em to keep," Hank declared. He looked spitefully at the animals which had played him such a false and treacherous turn while he stole his hour of pleasure. They were browsing serenely, spread out over considerable ground, some of them so near the crisp, ripping sound of the grass could be heard as they gathered it with out-licking tongues.

"Well boys, if you want to know from me what I think about it," said Jim, assuming a judicial gravity, "I'd say go on back to town and report to the sheriff that the herd stampeded off in the night. That's all you can do, unless you pay these boys their price and take 'em."

"Not on your life!" said Hank.