"Wal, I reckon I'll not ask anybody."
"Why not, dad?"
"No one can gamble on thet son of mine, even on his weddin'-day," replied Belllounds, gloomily.
"Dad, what'd Jack do to-day?"
"I'm not sayin' he did anythin'," answered the rancher.
"Dad, you can gamble on me."
"Wal, I should smile," he said, putting his big arm around her. "I wish you was Jack an' Jack was you."
At that moment the young man spoken of slouched into the room, with his head bandaged, and took a seat at the supper-table.
"Wal, Collie, let's go an' get it," said the rancher, cheerily. "I can always eat, anyhow."
"I'm hungry as a bear," rejoined Columbine, as she took her seat, which was opposite Jack.