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"Wal, I ain't so sure, Milt I met Al the other day He inquired for you, an' said you ild, but he reckoned ood for pioneer settlee! Milt, old Al doesn't approve of your wild life, but he never had no hard feelin's till thet tame lion of yours killed so many of his sheep"

"Auntie, I don't believe Tom ever killed Al's sheep," declared Dale, positively

"Wal, Al thinks so, an' ray head doubtfully "You never swore he didn't An' there was them two sheep-herders who did swear they seen hiar An' they were so scared they ran"

"Who wouldn't? Thet big beast is enough to scare any one For land's sakes, don't ever fetch hiit the time you did All the folks an' children an' hosses in Pine broke an' run thet day"

"Yes; but Tom wasn't to blame Auntie, he's the tamest of my pets Didn't he try to put his head on your lap an' lick your hand?"

"Wal, Milt, I ain't gainsayin' your cougar pet didn't act better 'n a lot of people I know Fer he did But the looks of hih for me"

"An' what's all that, Auntie?"

"They say he's hen out of your sight An' thet he'd trail an' kill anythin' you put him after"

"I trained him to be just that way"

"Wal, leave Tom to home up in the woods--when you visit us"

Dale finished his hearty er to the old wo his rifle and the other turkey, he bade her good-by She followed hiain, won't you--jest to see Al's niece--who'll be here in a week?"

"I reckon I'll drop in some day Auntie, have you seen my friends, the Mormon boys?"

"No, I 'ain't seen them an' don't want to," she retorted "Milt Dale, if any one ever corrals you it'll be Mormons"

"Don't worry, Auntie I like those boys They often see me up in the woods an' ask me to help them track a hoss or help kill some fresh meat"

"They're workin' for Beasley now"

"Is that so?" rejoined Dale, with a sudden start "An' what doin'?"