.

The Showdown.
A fire burned briskly in front of Mr.Trendley's cabin that night and several punchers sat around it occupied in various ways.

Two men leaned against the wall and sang softly of the joys of the trail and the range.
One of them, Lefty Allen, of the O-Bar-O, sang in his sweet tenor, and other men gradually strolled up and seated themselves on the ground, where the fitful gleam of responsive pipes and cigarettes showed like fireflies.

The songs followed one after another, first a lover's plea in soft Spanish and then a rollicking tale of the cow-towns and men.

Supper had long since been enjoyed and all felt that life was, indeed, well worth living.
A shadow loomed against the cabin wall and a procession slowly made its way toward the open door.