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TOWARD THE FAR HORIZON
107

no spurrin but when you come behind him keep watchin your step, your pal, Larry Lax Roche.

Blankets and slicker, money, horse. A flask of whisky stood on another slip of the paper. And the writing on this was much more legible.

Here's a friend in need. When you come to a pinch, use it. And when you come to a bigger pinch send word to your friend, Scottie Macdougal.

Andrew picked it up, set it down again, and smiled. On the fur coat there was a fifth tag. Not one of the five, then, had forgotten him.

Its comin on cold, partner. Take this coat and welcome. When the snows get on the mountains if you aint out of the desert put on this coat and think of your partner, Joe Clune.

P. S.—I seen you first, and I have first call on you over the rest of these gents and you can figure that you have first call on me. J. C.

When he had read all these little letters, when he had gathered his loot before him, Andrew lifted his head and could have burst into song. A tenderness for all men was surging up in him. This much thieves and murderers had done for him; what would the good men of the world do? How would they meet him halfway?

He went into the kitchen. They had forgotten nothing. There was a quantity of "chuck," flour, bacon, salt, coffee, a frying pan, a cup, a canteen. And this inscription was on it: "To Andy, from the boys."

It brought the tears into his eyes and a lump in his throat. He cast open the back door, and, standing in the little pasture, he saw only one horse remaining. It