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The Easterner, who had been a listener, was shocked by the brutality of Grayson's speech; but Bridge only laughed

"If you ht that horse, an' the ive hirowled 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 iuilt Let's have his story before we judge hiht," said Grayson; "but he's just ade turned to the boss "Thanks," he said; "but really I did steal the horse"

Grayson esture which said: "See, I told you so"

"It was like this," went on Bridge "The gentleether with so at me and my friends When it was all over there was no one left to inforal heirs of the late owners of this and several other horses which were left upon our hands, so I borrowed this one The laould say, doubtless, that I had stolen it; but I ahtful owners if someone will find them for me"

"You been in a scrap?" asked Grayson "Who with?"

"A party of Pesita's e

"When?"

"Yesterday"

"You see they are working pretty close," said Grayson, to his ee: "Well, if you took that cayuse from one of Pesita's bunch you can't call that stealin' Your room's in there, back of the office, an' you'll find soot to take with him You ken have 'em, an' from the looks o' yourn you need 'ee "My clothes are a bit rusty I shall have to speak to Jah into the little bedroorunted Grayson "Who the devil does he mean by Ja quietly

"The man's a character," he said "He'll be worth all you pay him--if you can appreciate him, which I doubt, Grayson"