And so did the hound, and so, I reckon, did Joe Masters and the hired man.

And when you pranced back on the home stretch, there was the hound, Masters, the hired man, and Maw all on your trail, and Paw bringin' up the rear with a shot-gun.

There was about a half a mile of you altogether." She removed her hand from her eyes to indicate with a lazily graceful sweep this somewhat imaginative procession, and laughed.
"You are certainly well guarded," said Stacey hesitatingly; "and looking at you, Miss Cressy," he added boldly, "I don't wonder at it." "Well, it IS reckoned that next to Paw's boundaries I'm pretty well protected from squatters and jumpers." Forceful and quaint as her language was, the lazy sweetness of her intonation, and the delicate refinement of her face, more than atoned for it.

It was unconventional and picturesque as her gestures.

So at least thought Mr.Stacey, and it emboldened him to further gallantry.
"Well, Miss Cressy, as my business with your father to-day was to try to effect a compromise of his boundary claims, perhaps you might accept my services in your own behalf." "Which means," responded the young lady pertly, "the same thing to ME as to Paw.