"
"That's shore likely. He said he had no money, no friends. An'
if a scrapper's all you're lookin' for he'll do," replied Ladd, with
a dry chuckle.
"Mrs. B. will throw some broncho capers round this ranch when
she hears I'm going to hire a stranger."
"Why?"
"Well, there's Nell-- And you said this Gale was a young American.
My wife will be scared to death for fear Nell will fall in love
with him."
Laddy choked off a laugh, then evidently slapped his knee or
Belding's, for there was a resounding smack.
"He's a fine-spoken, good-looking chap, you said?" went on Belding.
"Shore he is," said Laddy, warmly. "What do you say, Jim?"
By this time Dick Gale's ears began to burn and he was trying to
make himself deaf when he wanted to hear every little word.
"Husky young fellow, nice voice, steady, clear eyes, kinda proud,
I thought, an' some handsome, he was," replied Jim Lash.
"Maybe I ought to think twice before taking a stranger into my
family," said Belding, seriously. "Well, I guess he's all right,
Laddy, being the cavalryman's friend. No bum or lunger? He must
be all right?"
"Bum? Lunger? Say, didn't I tell you I shook hands
with this boy an' was plumb glad to meet him?" demanded Laddy,
with considerable heat. Manifestly he had been affronted.
"Tom Beldin', he's a gentleman, an' he could lick you in--
in half a second. How about that, Jim?"
"Less time," replied Lash. "Tom, here's my stand. Young Gale can
have my hoss, my gun, anythin' of mine.
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