witted as his partner, Hi Kendal, but in act he was swift and sure, and "in trouble" he could be counted on. He was, as they said, "a white man; white to the back," which was understood to sum up the true cattle man's virtues.
"Hello, Bill," said a friend, "where's Hi? Hain't seen him around!"
"Well, don't jest know. He was going to bring up my pinto."
"Your pinto? What pinto's that? You hain't got no pinto!"
"Mebbe not," said Bill, slowly, "but I had the idee before you spoke that I had."
"That so? Whar'd ye git him? Good for cattle?" The crowd began to gather.
Bill grew mysterious, and even more than usually reserved.
"Good fer cattle! Well, I ain't much on gamblin', but I've got a leetle in my pants that says that there pinto kin outwork any blanked bronco in this outfit, givin' him a fair show after the cattle."
The men became interested.
"Whar was he raised?"
"Dunno."
"Whar'd ye git him? Across the line?"
