The Coyote

"Now, Frankie, we don't care who the man is," she reproved. "He was hungry and he's welcome. What's the matter with you?"

"I guess you'd be surprised if you knew as much as I do," the boy boasted. "I guess you'd be surprised all right. I do."

"I've been surprised more than once at things you knew," the girl said with a laugh.

"Yes, but I guess you'd be surprised all right if you knew who he is," cried the boy, pointing at Rathburn.

"Come, now, young fellow, don't be getting all het up here," said Rathburn slowly, drawing tobacco and papers from his shirt pocket. "What do you find to do with yourself around here?"

But the youngster was not to be diverted from his topic. "I was lookin' at your horse," he said, his eyes shining. "That's how I know for sure an' certain who you are."

Rathburn gazed at the boy sternly as he touched a match to his brown-paper cigarette. "My horse is all right, ain't he?"

"Sure he is," said t