The girl had stopped crying, but little hysterical sobs choked her from time to time as she talked.
The Cowboy pulled the dog's ears gently and the animal responded by licking his hand.
"Seems to me, pardner, that Jake ain't actin' quite white in this deal."
"It's an outrage," warmly responded the Eastern man.
"I see two fellers," continued the Cowboy, gently stroking the dog's head, "comin' around the corner of the house; maybe we'd better ask 'um please not to hurt the dog."
"I agree with you, most decidedly."
The girl caught sight of the men and uttered a cry of fear. Seizing Rover by the collar, she attempted to drag him inside the house, but the dog braced himself and growled savagely, facing the newcomers.
"Say, pard," remarked the Cowboy quietly, "suppose they are impolite?"
"Well."