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Doctor Lee presently came out and pronounced that the wounded man

was doing well. "Wants to see you boys. Don't stay more than half

an hour. If they get in your way, sweep 'em out, Arlie."

The cowpunchers entered the sick room with the subdued, gingerly

tread of professional undertakers.

"I ain't so had as that yet, boys," the patient laughed. "You're

allowed to speak above a whisper. Doc thinks I'll last till

night, mebbe, if I'm careful."

They told him all the gossip of the range--how young Ford had run

off with Sallie Laundon and got married to her down at the Butte;

how Siegfried had gone up and down the valley swearing he would

clean out Jack Rabbit Run if Steve died; how Johnson had had

another row with Jed and had chosen to take water rather than

draw. Both of his visitors, however, had something on their minds

they found some difficulty in expressing.

Alec Howard finally broached it.