But here it was alive, cheerful, attractive, indeed fascinating; for these men in their western garb and with their western swing had captured his imagination.

He was in a fierce struggle, and in a few minutes I saw him disappear into the coulee.
Meantime the match went uproariously on to a finish, with the result that the champions of "Home" had "to stand The Painkiller," their defeat being due chiefly to the work of Hi and Bronco Bill as pitcher and catcher.
The celebration was in full swing; or as Hi put it, "the boys were takin' their pizen good an' calm," when in walked The Pilot.

His face was still troubled and his lips were drawn and blue, as if he were in pain.

A silence fell on the men as he walked in through the crowd and up to the bar.

He stood a moment hesitating, looking round upon the faces flushed and hot that were now turned toward him in curious defiance.