“How! do you wish to sell?” I asked, apparently in surprise.

“If I can get my price, yes.”

“How long have you occupied your tract?” I inquired.

“For four years, and during that time my flocks have increased threefold, and now I count my sheep by thousands and cattle by hundreds.”

“And your range is located on the banks of the Loddon?” I asked.  “How much land have you taken up?”

“Five thousand acres of as good pasturage as can be found in the country, well watered, and free of bogs and quicksands.”

“Why do you desire to sell, if the raising of cattle is so productive?” I demanded.

“None of your business.  If you wish to buy, say so, and I’m open for a trade.  Come and see me some day, and I’ll talk with you on the matter; at the present time I’m in a hurry.”

“I think that I know a man who will take the station off your hands without delay.  Wait a moment and I’ll bring him to you.”

I left the cattle raiser wondering at the suddenness of my exit, and entered the small room, where I found Mr. Critchet suffering with nervous agitation.

“Have you heard all?” I asked.

“Yes, all.”

“And do you think that you recognize the voice?”

“It is Follet,” he whispered.

“Dare you face him, and demand restitution for your wrongs?” I inquired.

“Why should I fear to meet him, and strike terror into his guilty heart?  Let me go at once.”

“Then roll the collar of your coat over your face, and slouch your hat over your eyes, and keep them there until I ask you to remove them.  Now keep up a stout heart, and trust to fortune for the result.”

Mr. Critchet followed me from the room without another word.  His agitation seemed to have left him, and he displayed all the “pluck” which characterizes the representatives of Great Britain, when placed in situations that require nerve and courage.

“Hullo! is that the man you have selected to purchase my stock?” cried the stranger, with a hoarse laugh; “why, a horseback ride of ten miles before breakfast would finish him for the day, and if bullocks should get sight of his thin form, they would break into open rebellion, for they know that it requires a powerful arm to use a stock-whip.  Take your old granddaddy back to bed, and send me a customer that can keep the saddle all day, and sleep in a pond of water all night, if need be.”

“He is not so feeble as he looks,” I replied, giving Fred a quiet signal, which he understood, and therefore rose and sauntered near the counter, so that he could be in the rear of the stockman, in case he was disposed to use violence.

“See,” I continued, removing the hat of Mr. Critchet, and throwing back his collar, “he does not look so very weak, after all.”

I noticed the stranger gave a convulsive start when he saw that pale face, so full of mild reproach; I heard him utter an exclamation which sounded like an oath, and then he turned and rushed frantically towards the door; but before he reached it, he was attacked by an enemy in his rear that he little counted on.