"If I was to lose Satan, or Bart--" here the great dog whined at the mention of his name, and Barry dropped a slender hand across the scarred forehead of his servant.

"If I was to lose 'em, I'd sort of mourn for 'em, maybe." Buck Daniels set his teeth.
"I don't suppose it seems possible," he said, "that a man could miss another man the way you could miss your--dog, eh?
But it is! Joe Cumberland is dying for you, Dan, as sure as if you'd put a bullet in his bowels." The other hesitated and then frowned and made a gesture of vague dismissal.
"Don't you figure on doin' nothing about it ?" asked Buck softly.
"What could I do ?" "My God A'mighty, ain't you got no human feelin's ?" "I dunno what you mean," said the soft voice.
"This! Can't you git on your hoss and ride back with me to Cumberland Ranch?
Stay with the old man till he gets back on his feet.

Ain't that easy to do?
Is your time so damned valuable you can't spare a few days for that ?" "But I am goin' back," answered Dan, in a rather hurt voice.

"They ain't no need for cussin' me, Buck.

I been thinkin' of Kate, every day, almost." "Since when ?" "I dunno." Dan stirred uneasily.