You have had a long hard spell of it in this rodeo, and yesterday and to-day have not been exactly easy.

Shipping is always hell, even when everybody is in a good humor," he smiled grimly.
"If you do not object, I would really like to go," said Patches simply.
"But your horse is as tired as you ought to be," protested Phil.
"I'm riding Stranger, you know," the other answered.
To which Phil replied tersely, "Let's be riding, then." The cowboys, who had been watching the two men, looked at each other in amazement as Phil and Patches rode away together.
"Well, what do you make of that ?" exclaimed one.
"Looks like Honorable Patches was next," commented another.
"Us old-timers ain't in it when it comes to associatin' with the boss," offered a third.
"You shut up on that line," came sharply from Curly.

"Phil ain't turnin' us down for nobody.

I reckon if Patches is fool enough to want to ride to the Cross-Triangle to-night Phil ain't got no reason for stoppin' him.

If any of you punchers wants to make the ride, the way's open, ain't it ?" "Now, don't you go on the prod, too," soothed the other.