of the air, seeking safe place for night rest, flitted
about in nervous uncertainty. And suddenly in
the gathering dusk rose the long-drawn howl of
a coyote, lifting into the stillness a lugubrious note
of appeal. Then, close upon the echo of this, rose
another appeal in the trail close by, the shrill
nicker of the mate to the mare.

It awoke Felipe. He sat up quickly, rubbed
his eyes dazedly, and peered out with increasing
understanding. Then he sprang to his feet.

"Coom!" he called, kicking the other. "We
go now -- see who is winnin' thot bet!" And he
started hurriedly forward.

But the other checked him. "Wait!" he
snapped, rising. "You wait! You in too mooch
hurry! You coom back -- I have soomt'ing!"

Felipe turned back, wondering. The other
nervously produced material for a cigarette. Then
he cleared his throat with needless protraction.

"Felipe," he began, evidently laboring under
excitement, "I mek eet a _bet_ now! I bet you,"
he went on, his voice trembling with fervor--
"I bet you my wagon, thee horses -- thee whole
shutting-match -- against thot wagon and horses
yours, and thee harness -- thee whole damned
shutting-match -- thot I haf win!" He proceeded
to finish his cigarette.

Felipe stared at him hard. Surely his ears had
deceived him! If they had not deceived him, if,
for a fact, the _hombre_ had expressed a willingness
to bet all he had on the outcome of this thing, then
Franke, fellow-townsman, _compadre_, brother-wood-

[[11]]

p010 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p011w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p012

v?