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This thing that's happenin' now won't never blow over 'til the stars and stripes

blow over Chihuahua," said Grayson with finality.

A few moments later Bridge returned to the office, having unsaddled his pony and

turned it into the pasture.

What's your name?" asked Grayson, preparing to enter it in his time book.

Bridge," replied the new bookkeeper.

'Nitials," snapped Grayson.

Bridge hesitated. "Oh, put me down as L. Bridge," he said.

Where from?" asked the ranch foreman.

El Orobo Rancho," answered Bridge.

Grayson shot a quick glance at the man. The answer confirmed his suspicions

that the stranger was probably a horse thief, which, in Grayson's estimation, was

the worst thing a man could be.

Where did you get that pony you come in on?" he demanded. "I ain't sayin'

nothin' of course, but I jest want to tell you that we ain't got no use for horse

thieves here."

The Easterner, who had been a listener, was shocked by the brutality of

Grayson's speech; but Bridge only laughed.

"If you must know," he said, "I never bought that horse, an' the man he belonged

to didn't give him to me. I just took him."

"You got your nerve," growled Grayson. "I guess you better git out. We don't want

no horse thieves here."

Wait," interposed the boss. "This man doesn't act like a horse thief. A horse thief,

I should imagine, would scarcely admit his guilt. Let's have his story before we

judge him."

"All right," said Grayson; "but he's just admitted he stole the horse."

Bridge turned to the boss. "Thanks," he said; "but really I did steal the horse."

Grayson made a gesture which said: "See, I told you so."

"It was like this," went on Bridge. "The gentleman who owned the horse, together

with some of his friends, had been shooting at me and my friends. When it was

221

The Mucker