CHAPTER FOUR.
THE ACCOMPLISHMENT The next morning Buck Johnson took a trip down into the "pasture" of five hundred wire-fenced acres.
"He means business," he confided to Jed Parker, on his return.

"That cavallo of his is a heap sight better than the Shorty horse we let him take.

Jed, you found your man with nerve, all right.

How did you do it ?" The two settled down to wait, if not with confidence, at least with interest.

Sometimes, remembering the desperate character of the outlaws, their fierce distrust of any intruder, the wildness of the country, Buck Johnson and his foreman inclined to the belief that the stranger had undertaken a task beyond the powers of any one man.
Again, remembering the stranger's cool grey eye, the poise of his demeanour, the quickness of his movements, and the two guns with tied holsters to permit of easy withdrawal, they were almost persuaded that he might win.
"He's one of those long-chance fellows," surmised Jed.