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Howard appeared in the doorway. "Say, Sig, go down to the corral

and saddle up Teddy for Steve, will you? Some of his friends have

been potshotting at him again. No damage done, except to my

feelings, but there's nothing like being careful."

Siegfried's face darkened. "Ay bane like for know who it vas?"

Howard laughed. "Now, if you'll tell Steve that he'll give you as

much as six bits, Sig. He's got notions, but they ain't worth any

more than yours or mine. Say, where you boys going to-day? I've a

notion to go along."

"Oh, just out for a little pasear," Steve answered casually.

"Thought you were going to work on your south fence to-day."

"Well, I reckon I better. It sure needs fixing. You lads take

good care of yourselves. I don't need to tell you not to pass

anywhere near the run, Sig," he grinned, with the manner of one

giving a superfluous warning.

Fraser looked at Siegfried, with a smile in his eyes. "No, we'll

not pass the run to-day, Alec."