* * * * *
"My Gawd, what a relief!" Racey muttered, and sat back and gingerly wiggled his toes.
"Damn shame you had to cut 'em up thataway," said Jack Richie, glancing at Racey's slit boots. "They look like new boots."
"It is and they are, but I couldn't get 'em off any other way, and I'll bet I won't be able to get another pair on inside a month. Lordy, man, did you ever think natural-born feet would swell like that?"
"You better soak them awhile," said Jack Richie. "C'mon out to the kitchen."
"Shore feels good," said Racey, when his swelled feet were immersed in a dishpan half full of tepid water. "Lookit, Jack, let Miss Dale have her sleep out, and to-morrow sometime send a couple of boys with her over to Moccasin Spring."
"Whatsa matter with you and one of the boys doing it?"
"Because I have to go to Piegan City."
"Huh?"
"Yep—Piegan City. I'm coming back, though, so you needn't worry about losing the hoss yo're gonna lend me."