“I’ll run White Slides,” replied Jack, with a wave of his hand.  “I hadn’t hoped for such a chance.  But it’s due me.  Who’s in the outfit I know?”

“Reckon no one, except Wils Moore.”

“Is that cowboy here yet?  I don’t want him.”

“Wal, I’ll put him to chasin’ varmints with the hounds.  An’ say, son, this outfit is bad.  You savvy—­it’s bad.  You can’t run that bunch.  The only way you can handle them is to get up early an’ come back late.  Sayin’ little, but sawin’ wood.  Hard work.”

Jack Belllounds did not evince any sign of assimilating the seriousness of his father’s words.

“I’ll show them,” he said.  “They’ll find out who’s boss.  Oh, I’m aching to get into boots and ride and tear around.”

Belllounds stroked his grizzled beard and regarded his son with mingled pride and doubt.  Not at this moment, most assuredly, could he get away from the wonderful fact that his only son was home.

“Thet’s all right, son.  But you’ve been off the range fer three years.  You’ll need advice.  Now listen.  Be gentle with hosses.  You used to be mean with a hoss.  Some cowboys jam their hosses around an’ make ’em pitch an’ bite.  But it ain’t the best way.  A hoss has got sense.  I’ve some fine stock, an’ don’t want it spoiled.  An’ be easy an’ quiet with the boys.  It’s hard to get help these days.  I’m short on hands now....  You’d do best, son, to stick to your dad’s ways with hosses an’ men.”

“Dad, I’ve seen you kick horses an’ shoot at men” replied Jack.

“Right, you have.  But them was particular bad cases.  I’m not advisin’ thet way....  Son, it’s close to my heart—­this hope I have thet you’ll—­”

The full voice quavered and broke.  It would indeed have been a hardened youth who could not have felt something of the deep and unutterable affection in the old man.  Jack Belllounds put an arm around his father’s shoulder.

“Dad, I’ll make you proud of me yet.  Give me a chance.  And don’t be sore if I can’t do wonders right at first.”

“Son, you shall have every chance.  An’ thet reminds me.  Do you remember Columbine?”

“I should say so,” replied Jack, eagerly.  “They spoke of her in Kremmling.  Where is she?”

“I reckon somewheres about.  Jack, you an’ Columbine are to marry.”

“Marry!  Columbine and me?” he ejaculated.

“Yes.  You’re my son an’ she’s my adopted daughter.  I won’t split my property.  An’ it’s right she had a share.  A fine, strong, quiet, pretty lass, Jack, an’ she’ll make a good wife.  I’ve set my heart on the idee.”

“But Columbine always hated me.”

“Wal, she was a kid then an’ you teased her.  Now she’s a woman, an’ willin’ to please me.  Jack, you’ll not buck ag’in’ this deal?”

“That depends,” replied Jack.  “I’d marry `most any girl you wanted me to.  But if Columbine were to flout me as she used to—­why, I’d buck sure enough....  Dad, are you sure she knows nothing, suspects nothing of where you—­you sent me?”