“Why didn’t you and Levitt ride into town with the colonel, Joe?”
“He thought it would be better for us to come by ourselves. He was ’way ahead of time, you know, and had to go to the bank before closing hours for the bullion. It wasn’t necessary for Levitt and me to be around until time for the meeting. Oh, I’ve had a fine run for my auburn chip, and no mistake. I’ll resign, here and now, from our partnership. The place for me is the range. Cattle punching is about the scope of my ability, and it ought to be the height of my ambition. Consider my resignation handed in, pard.”
“Then,” said Matt, “consider it declined. I won’t accept it.”
“Don’t make any misplay now, old chap,” begged McGlory. “I’m about as dependable as this crazy runabout. Sometimes I answer the control, but you’ve just seen how I can take the bit in my teeth and play hob with everything. I don’t think you can trust me, pard.”
“I don’t know any one I can trust better, Joe,” answered Matt.
“If you mean that, shake.”
Their hands clasped for an instant, and McGlory stifled a groan and clutched at his side.
“Say,” demanded Matt, “what’s wrong with you?”
“All jarred to pieces. That fall did it. When you shook my right hand I thought I was coming apart.”