Two camps in the open, and the Virginian's Monte horse, untired, brought him to the
Swintons' in good time for the barbecue. The horse received good food at length, while
his rider was welcomed with good whiskey. GOOD whiskey--for had not steers jumped
to seventy-five?
Inside the Goose Egg kitchen many small delicacies were preparing, and a steer was
roasting whole outside. The bed of flame under it showed steadily brighter against the
dusk that was beginning to veil the lowlands. The busy hosts went and came, while men
stood and men lay near the fire-glow. Chalkeye was there, and Nebrasky, and Trampas,
and Honey Wiggin, with others, enjoying the occasion; but Honey Wiggin was enjoying
himself: he had an audience; he was sitting up discoursing to it.
"Hello!" he said, perceiving the Virginian. "So you've dropped in for your turn! Number--
six, ain't he, boys?"
"Depends who's a-runnin' the countin'," said the Virginian, and stretched himself down
among the audience.
"I've saw him number one when nobody else was around," said Trampas.
"How far away was you standin' when you beheld that?" inquired the lounging
Southerner.
"Well, boys," said Wiggin, "I expect it will be Miss Schoolmarm says who's number one
tonight."
"So she's arrived in this hyeh country?" observed the Virginian, very casually.
"Arrived!" said Trampas again. "Where have you been grazing lately?"
"A right smart way from the mules."
"Nebrasky and the boys was tellin' me they'd missed yu' off the range," again interposed
Wiggin. "Say, Nebrasky, who have yu' offered your canary to the schoolmarm said you
mustn't give her?"
Nebrasky grinned wretchedly.
"Well, she's a lady, and she's square, not takin' a man's gift when she don't take the man.
But you'd ought to get back all them letters yu' wrote her. Yu' sure ought to ask her for
them tell-tales."
