"He was," replied Hopalong.
"If we sees Tex we'll all grin hard," laughed Red, making for the door. "Come on to th' contests—Lanky's gone already."
Muddy Wells streamed to the carnival grounds and relieved itself of its enthusiasm and money at the booths on the way. Cow-punchers rubbed elbows with Indians and Mexicans, and the few tourists that were present were delighted with the picturesque scene. The town was full of fakirs and before one of them stood a group of cow-punchers, apparently drinking in the words of a barker.
"Right this way, gents, and see the woman who don't eat. Lived for two years without food, gents. Right this way, gents. Only a quarter of a dollar. Get your tickets, gents, and see"
Red pushed forward:
"What did yu say, pard?" he asked. "I'm a little off in my near ear. What's that about eatin' a woman for two years?"
"The greatest wonder of the age, gents. The wom"
"Any discount for th' gang?" asked Buck, gawking.
"Why don't yu quit smokin' an' buy th' lady a meal?" asked Johnny from the center of the group.
"Th' cane yu ring th' cane yu get!" came from the other side of the street and Hopalong' purchased rings for the outfit. Twenty-four rings got one cane, and it was divided between them as they wended their way toward the grounds.
"That makes six wheels she didn't get," murmured Hopalong.
As they passed the snake charmer's booth they saw Tex and his companion ahead of them in the crowd, and they grinned broadly. "I like th' front row in th' balcony," remarked Johnny, who had been to Kansas City. "Don't cry in th' second act—it ain't real," laughed Red. "We'll hang John Brown on a sour apple-tree—in th' Panhandle," sang Skinny as they passed them.
Arriving at the grounds they hunted up the registration committee and entered in the contests. As Hopalong signed for the
