"Them shoes goes on Whang right gentle." Jim grinned, and turned to speak to his mustang.

"Whang, the law's laid down an' we wanta see how much hoss sense you hev." The shaggy mustang did not appear to be favorably impressed by this speech.

It was a mighty distrustful look he bent upon the speaker.
"Jim, seein' as how this here job's aboot the last Miss Collie will ever boss us on, we gotta do it without Whang turnin' a hair," drawled the other cowboy.
"Lem, why is this the last job I'll ever boss you boys ?" demanded Columbine, quickly.
Jim gazed quizzically at her, and Lem assumed that blank, innocent face Columbine always associated with cowboy deviltry.
"Wal, Miss Collie, we reckon the new boss of White Slides rode in to-day." "You mean Jack Belllounds came home," said Columbine.

"Well, I'll boss you boys the same as always." "Thet'd be mighty fine for us, but I'm feared it ain't writ in the fatal history of White Slides," replied Jim.
"Buster Jack will run over the ole man an' marry you," added Lem.
"Oh, so that's your idea," rejoined Columbine, lightly.

"Well, if such a thing did come to pass I'd be your boss more than ever." "I reckon no, Miss Collie, for we'll not be ridin' fer White Sides," said Jim, simply.
Columbine had sensed this very significance long before when the possibility of Buster Jack's return had been rumored.