He first heard the distant murmur of voices on the road and passed an uneasy and restless ten minutes, with his eye to a crack in the door.

He was soothed and reassured, however, when at last he caught sight of the sheriff.
"Well, judge, I got company for you," cried the sheriff cheerfully, as he threw open the door.

"A hoss-thief!" He pushed into the building a man, hatless and coatless, with a pair of pale villainous eyes and a tobacco-stained chin.

The judge viewed the new-comer with disfavor.

As for the horse-thief, he gave his companion in misery a coldly critical stare, seated himself on the stool, and with quite a fierce air devoted all his energy to mastication.