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Fraser was dragged from sweet slumber, pegged face down on his

blankets, with a large-sized man at the extremity of each arm and

leg, and introduced to a chapping. Dick France wielded the chaps

vigorously upon the portions of his anatomy where they would do

the most execution. The Texan did not enjoy it, but he refrained

from saying so. When he was freed, he sat down painfully on a

saddle and remarked amiably:

"You're a beautiful bunch, ain't you? Anybody got any smoking?"

This proper acceptance of their attentions so delighted these

overgrown children that they dug up three bottles of whisky that

were kept in camp for rattlesnake bites, and made Rome howl. They

had ridden all day, and for many weary days before that; but they

were started toward making a night of it when Dillon appeared.