"Wal, I kept this here Las Vegas Carmichael on his say-so.

Come on with your good word, unless you want to see him lose his job." Bo did not grasp her uncle's bantering, because she was seriously gazing at the cowboy.

But she had grasped something.
"He--he was the first person--out West--to speak kindly to us," she said, facing her uncle.
"Wal, thet's a pretty good word, but it ain't enough," responded Al.
Subdued laughter came from the listening group.

Carmichael shifted from side to side.
"He--he looks as if he might ride a horse well," ventured Bo.
"Best hossman I ever seen," agreed Al, heartily.
"And--and shoot ?" added Bo, hopefully.
"Bo, he packs thet gun low, like Jim Wilson an' all them Texas gun-fighters.

Reckon thet ain't no good word." "Then--I'll vouch for him," said Bo, with finality.
"Thet settles it." Auchincloss turned to the cowboy.