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108 they've put up t'other side the lake. The lambs is allus in the corn; the postes be all rammed at t' top of t' hole, 'stead of bottom." The old stockman chuckled merrily as though echoing the last notes of the jackass in the tree above.

"You didn't learn it all in a day, Jim," remonstrated his wife. "It seems to me, you and Mr. McDowl thinks you knows everythink. What do you say to that toon now? You couldn't play the likes of that if you was paid."

"They plays all right, but they won't make their fortunes fiddlin'."

"Who said they would?" sharply demanded Jinnie.

The two cronies spake more low, since their wives seemed not in sympathy with the drift of their conversation.

"It'll be a mighty busy time soon," continued Jim, "harvesting and shearing at same time—and we've got to do it all oursel's. There'll be some tar wantin', I'm thinkin'."

"Lots of the young fellows says they can shear."

"I know their style. 'Rouseabouts' and 'Pickers-up'—and bad at that. They'll find it hot work this season."

"They've done wonders all the same," claimed Alec.

"It's all along of the management. That's what's pulled it through."

"There's one thing I'm afeared on."

"What's that?" asked Jim.

"It's the discipline. They don't like it. Leastways some don't. They ben't used to it. It's 'go as you please,' mostly, in town."

"Most on them means well and works well. But they're easy led. They ben't soldiers ready to stand by