He's only a boy yet, an' coltish." Wade divined that was a favor difficult for Belllounds to ask.

The old rancher, dominant and forceful and self-sufficient all his days, had begun to feel an encroachment of opposition beyond his control.

If he but realized it, the favor he asked of Wade was an appeal.
"Belllounds, I get along with everybody," Wade assured him.

"An' maybe I can help your son.

Before I'd reached here I'd heard he was wild, an' so I'm prepared." "If you'd do thet--wal, I'd never forgit it," replied the rancher, slowly.