Desert Gold by Zane Grey Page A

an’ Jim might as well tie up with you for a spell, Beldin’. We’ve been ridin’ up an’ down Arizona tryin’ to keep out of sight of wire fences.”
    â€œLaddy, it’s open enough around Forlorn River to satisfy even an old-time cowpuncher like you,” laughed Belding. “I’d take your staying on as some favor, don’t mistake me. Perhaps I can persuade the young man Gale to take a job with me.”
    â€œThat’s shore likely. He said he had no money, no friends. An’ if a scrapper’s all you’re lookin’ for he’ll do,” replied Ladd, with a dry chuckle.
    â€œMrs. B. will throw some broncho capers round this ranch when she hears I’m going to hire a stranger.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWell, there’s Nell—And you said this Gale was a young American. My wife will be scared to death for fear Nell will fall in love with him.”
    Laddy choked off a laugh, then evidently slapped his knee or Belding’s, for there was a resounding smack.
    â€œHe’s a fine-spoken, good-looking chap, you said?” went on Belding.
    â€œShore he is,” said Laddy, warmly. “What do you say, Jim?”
    By this time Dick Gale’s ears began to burn and he was trying to make himself deaf when he wanted to hear every little word.
    â€œHusky young fellow, nice voice, steady, clear eyes, kinda proud, I thought, an’ some handsome, he was,” replied Jim Lash.
    â€œMaybe I ought to think twice before taking a stranger into my family,” said Belding, seriously. “Well, I guess he’s all right, Laddy, being the cavalryman’s friend. No bum or lunger? He must be all right?”
    â€œBum? Lunger? Say, didn’t I tell you I shook hands with this boy an’ was plumb glad to meet him?” demanded Laddy, with considerable heat. Manifestly he had been affronted. “Tom Beldin’, he’s a gentleman, an’ he could lick you in—in half a second. How about that, Jim?”
    â€œLess time,” replied Lash. “Tom, here’s my stand. Young Gale can have my hoss, my gun, anythin’ of mine.”
    â€œAw, I didn’t mean to insult you, boys, don’t mistake me,” said Belding. “Course he’s all right.”
    The object of this conversation lay quiet upon his bed, thrilling and amazed at being so championed by the cowboys, delighted with Belding’s idea of employing him, and much amused with the quaint seriousness of the three.
    â€œHow’s the young man?” called a woman’s voice. It was kind and mellow and earnest.
    Gale heard footsteps on flagstones.
    â€œHe’s asleep yet, wife,” replied Belding. “Guess he was pretty much knocked out…. I’ll close the door there so we won’t wake him.”
    There were slow, soft steps, then the door softly closed. But the fact scarcely made a perceptible difference in the sound of the voices outside.
    â€œLaddy and Jim are going to stay,” went on Belding. “It’ll be like the old Panhandle days a little. I’m powerful glad to have the boys, Nellie. You know I meant to send to Casita to ask them. We’ll see some trouble before the revolution is ended. I think I’ll make this young man Gale an offer.”
    â€œHe isn’t a cowboy?” asked Mrs. Belding, quickly.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œShore he’d make a darn good one,” put in Laddy.
    â€œWhat is he? Who is he? Where did he come from? Surely you must be—”
    â€œLaddy swears he’s all right,” interrupted the hushand. “That’s enough reference for me. Isn’t it enough for you?”
    â€œHumph! Laddy knows a lot about young men, now doesn’t he, especially strangers from the East?…Tom, you must be careful!”
    â€œWife, I’m only too glad to have a nervy young chap come along. What sense is there in your objection, if Jim and Laddy