Page:The Trail Rider (1924).pdf/228

 "I'll bet a purty he is."

"If you had all the horses together that man's stole they'd load a car."

"You don't tell me!"

"Yes, and cattle, too."

"Cattle, ma'am!"

"Millions of 'em. If he got a year for ever' one of 'em he'd be in the pen when Gabr'l blows his horn. Did you know he come sneaking around here as soon as he heard you'd left?"

"No ma'am, I didn't hear of it. Did he do any damage?"

"He didn't come here to the house, but he's back in town, workin' for Johnnie Mackey."

"What might that old scoun'rel be doin' for Mackey, ma'am?"

"Bouncerin'. He goes on at ten or 'leven and works till the crowds clear out. They don't know him very well here now, for this was only a new starter of a town when he left, and most of them fellers has come in since. He looks fierce, and he's mean. I guess he'll hold the job. Zeb's trick is to hit a man when he ain't expectin' it and lay him out—that's his way."

"He sure is a mean-lookin' man, ma'am."

"Yes, and Ollie's so nervous over him bein' in town he don't hardly dare to go to and from the shop. He's been thinkin' of movin' down here to