Then came that eventful day when Sheriff Jim Burks and two of his deputies rode into the Cañada del Oro.
CHAPTER XVII
THE SHERIFF’S VISIT
“Come to think of it, it’s generally a healthy proposition not to know too much about your neighbors—the ones that you like, I mean.”
THE Pardners were coming from their mine to the house for the midday meal when the officers stopped at the gate.
“Howdy, Jim?” called Bob with the cheerful grin he kept for his friends. “Which one of us are you wantin’ now?”
The sheriff laughed as he shook hands with the two old prospectors.
“If you’ll give our horses a feed, I’ll let you both off this time.”
“How about yourselves?” asked Thad. “Would you fight if we was to try to force you to eat a bite?”
“I’ll say we would not,” returned one of the deputies, swinging from his saddle.
“I’m that holler that I’d ring if anybody was to kick me,” drawled the other.