"I'll be there," Blakely assured him.
When Loudon had bidden Johnny Ramsay good-bye, he went out and mounted Ranger and rode away with Jack Richie.
"I'm goin' away from here, Jack," said Loudon, after Richie had discussed in profane detail the 88's endeavour to discredit him.
"I thought yuh was goin' to work for me?" exclaimed Richie in surprise.
"I was, but somethin's happened since then. I'm kind o' sick o' the Lazy River country. I need a change."
"Well, you know best. But——"
"I know what yo're thinkin'. If I go now the 88 will think I've quit cold. Let 'em think it. I don't care. But I'll be back. I made an appointment with Blakely to meet him in Farewell three months from to-day."
"That's good hearin'. But I'm shore sorry you ain't goin' to ride for me."
"So'm I."
"Stay over to-night anyway. Yuh ain't in any howlin' rush to get away, are yuh?"