The Cow Puncher | Page 3

his
hand. But it was a new tool to him and he fumbled with it stupidly. The
handle would not fit, and when it did fit it operated the wrong way.
"Oh, let me have it," she cried, impatiently. In a moment she had it set
under the frame of the car and was plying the handle up and down with
rapid strokes. The machine began to groan with the pressure, and the
boy looked on, helpless and mortified. He was beginning to realize that
there were more things in the world than riding a horse, and shooting
bottles. He felt a sudden desire to be of great service. And just now he

could be of no service whatever.
But the foot of the jack began to sink in the soft earth, and the girl
looked up helplessly. "It won't lift it," she said. "What shall we do?"
It was his chance. He was eighteen, and his wild, open life had given
him muscles of steel. "Here," he said, roughly, "move his leg when I
get it clear." He turned his back to the machine and crouched down
until he could get his hands under the steel frame. Then he lifted. The
car was in a somewhat poised position, and he was able to swing it up
far enough to release the injured leg.
"Very good, my boy," said the man. "That was a wonderful lift. The leg
is broken--compound. Can you get some way of moving me to shelter?
I will pay you well."
The last words were unfortunate. Hospitality in the ranching country is
not bought and sold.
"You can't pay me nothin'," he said rudely. "But I can bring a light
wagon, if you can ride in that, and put you up at the ranch. The old
man's soused," he added, as an afterthought, "but it's better than sleepin'
out. I won't be long."
He was back at his horse, and in a moment they heard the clatter of
hoofs galloping down the hillside.
The girl sat on the ground and rested her father's head in her lap. Tears
made her bright eyes brighter still.
"Don't cry, Reenie," he said, gently. "We are very lucky to be so close
to help. Of course, I'll be laid up for awhile, but it will give you a
chance to see ranch life as it really is"--He winced with pain, but
continued, "I fancy we shall find it plain and unveneered. What a
horseman! If I could run an automobile like he does a horse we should
not be here. Did you notice that I didn't release the clutch? Just ambled
into this predicament--embraced it, I might say."

"He's strong," she said. "But he's rude."
"The best fields for muscle are often poor schools for manners," he
answered. "But manners are no substitute for hospitality, and he seems
to have that, all right. It is something that belongs to the open country,
the big, open country. In cities they entertain, but in the ranching
country they, why, there isn't any word for it, but you will see for
yourself."
He was soon back with a wagon and a stretcher. He avoided the eyes of
his guests, but quickly and gently enough he placed the injured man on
the stretcher. "I guess you'll have to take the feet," he said. The words
were for the girl, although he did not look at her. "I could hustle him
myself, but it might hurt 'im."
But the injured man interrupted. "I beg your pardon," he said, "that I
did not introduce my daughter. I am Doctor Hardy--this is my daughter,
Irene, Mr.----?"
"They don't call me mister," said the boy. "Misters is scarce in these
woods. My name is Elden--Dave Elden."
He was for dropping it at that, but the girl came up with extended hand.
He took it shyly, but it made him curiously bold. "I'm glad to meet you,
Mr. Elden," she said.
"I'm glad to meet you, too," he answered. "Misses is scarcer than
misters in this neck o' the woods."
Carefully they lifted the injured man into the wagon, and Dave drove to
the ranch building with an unwonted caution that must have caused
strange misgivings in the hearts of his team.
"It ain't much of a place," he said, as they pulled up at the door. "I
guess you can see that for yourself," he added, with a grin. "You see,
there's just Dad and me, and he's soused most of the time, and I handle
a lasso better'n a scrubbin' brush." He was already losing his shyness.
"Now, you take the feet again. Steady, don't break any more bones.

Look out for that barrel hoop. This way, now."
He led into the old ranch house, kicking the door wider open