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McNeil crossed his legs, and wiped his damp forehead with the back of

his hand "Hoof of a da

hihed hoarsely, but as the foreirl joined happily in, and his own face instantly exhibited

the contagion

"Ain't much--eh--ever happens out on a ranch," he said, doubtfully,

"except dodgin' steers, and--eh--bustin' broncoes"

"Your blame mule story," broke in Moffat, who had at last discovered

his inspiration, "re

last year just across the divide I don't recall ever telling it

before, but it may interest you, Miss Spencer, as illustrative of one

phase of life in this country A party of us were out after bear, and

one night when I chanced to be left all alone in cauarded, as the Indians were all

around as thick as leaves on a tree So I decided to sit up in front

of the tent on watch Along about ht, I suppose, I dropped off

into a doze, for the first thing I heard was the hee-haw of a ht in my ear It sounded like a clap of thunder, and I juainst the brute's nose so blaot h the ht toward our