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"TRAVELIN' ON" 9

what to say. But Dandy Allen McGee has heard and
it suits his purpose in his irritableness toward Carmen
and his hatred for Jacko to come forward, and say,
to Carmen, "I told you to keep that damn thing out
of here. You get out and if yo'u bring it in here again,
I will take it by the hind legs and knock its brains out
up agin the wall." And then Dandy Allen McGee
turns to J. B. and says, "Stranger, you're a man after
my own heart. You know how to treat women."
J. B. says, "I'm admittin' I ain't strong for women,
but I aJso am observin' that I like four footed things
and if you ever touch that little helpless pet of her'n
agin,' there'll be a funeral around here and you won't
hear what the preacher's sayin." And then J. B.
turns quietly and cooly and goes out.

Now, Carmen Rosa knows that the threat of Dandy
Allen McGee is no idle threat. She knows that he
will keep his word and she is after all just a dance hall
girl living upon the privilege of plying her trade in
Dandy Allen McGee's place, but still she is actuated
in what she does by her honest affection for her little
pet. She follows J. B. out to the hitching rack, where
he is untying his little Pinto horse and says, "Mister,
I love this little fellow. I think the world of him, but
I know that if I don't get rid of him, it will mean that
he will be killed in some way or another, and I'm
askin' you please to take him. If there is anyone in
the world that can take care of him, I know you can."
J. B. stands and thinks for a moment and then says,
"Lady, I think I µnderstand, and I'm acceptin."
And he takes the little fell ow and perches him upon
the Pinto's saddle and turning to a passerby, says,
"Pardner, it seems I've got a family and as I aim to
stay in these parts for a few days, it might not take