The cowboy studied him curiously. "I reckon I ain't got no spite again yu—none of us chaps at the cook-house have."
"Not including Dakota, of course."
Bean ruminated over that. "Mebbe yer right."
"I don't believe, Bean Slade, that you're happy with that gang."
Bean got up and started away.
"Ta-ta!" he called. "This ain't my pumpin' day."
Stamford cursed his impetuosity.
"All right," he laughed. "You've a brain of your own—and I've seen no evidences of a loose tongue in you. I was going to tell you something—perhaps—that was all."
Bean kicked over some loose stones and wandered back. Plainly he did not want to go.
And just then a fish took the bait. Stamford jumped forward, missed his footing, and tumbled helplessly into the rushing current.