Once he looked back over his shoulder, and his dark glance saw no one save Moore.
"Boss, thar's been a little argyment," explained Jim, as with swift hand he hid Bludsoe's gun.

"Nuthin' much." "Jim, you're a liar," replied the old rancher.
"Aw!" exclaimed Jim, crestfallen.
"What're you hidin' ?...

You've got somethin' there.

Gimme thet gun." Without more ado Jim handed the gun over.
"It's mine, boss," put in Bludsoe.
"Ahuh?
Wal, what was Jim hidin' it fer ?" demanded Belllounds.
"Why, I jest tossed it to him--when I--sort of j'ined in with the argyment.

We was tusslin' some an' I didn't want no gun." How characteristic of cowboys that they lied to shield Jack Belllounds! But it was futile to attempt to deceive the old rancher.