Old Bill Belllounds had received the news in a singular mood; he offered no encomiums to the victor; contrary to his usual custom of lauding every achievement of labor or endurance, he now seemed almost to regret the affray.

Jack Belllounds had returned from Kremmling and he was present when Burley brought news of the rustlers.

What he thought none of the cowboys vouchsafed to say, but he was drunk the next day, and he lost a handful of gold to them.

Never had he gambled so recklessly.

Indeed, it was as if he hated the gold he lost.