That's what! And if herdin' with them blasted baa-sheep hadn't just about ruined your intellect, you'd know why, without asking," said Pete.

"Look now! I was so sure that you was bein' systematically hornswoggled that, when two rank strangers made that sort of a ranikiboo play at me, I talked it out with myself, like this--not out loud--just me and Pete colloguing: "'These gentlemen are pickin' on you, Pete.

What's that for ?' 'Why,' says Pete, 'that's because you're Stan's pardner, of course.

These two laddie-bucks are some small part of the gang, bunch, or congregation that's been preyin' on Stan.' 'What they tryin' to put over on Stan now ?' I asks, curiosity getting the better of my good manners.

'Not to pry into private matters any,' says I, 'but this thing is getting personal.