"I suppose more criminals has been caught because they done their crimes
when it was snowing than any other way. Only chance a feller would have
to get off without leaving tracks would be in a balloon; I don't know as
I ever heard of a murderer escaping in a balloon, but I reckon it could
be done."

He disliked to relinquish such an original idea, and the subject of
murderers and balloons, with such ramifications as suggested themselves
to his mind, occupied him until dinner-time. He quitted the table to
prepare for his night's work, and at five o'clock backed wild Bill into
the shafts of his high cart, lighted the hissing gasolene torch, and
mounted to his seat.

"I expect he'll want his head to-night; he's got a game look," he said
to Custer, nodding toward Bill. Then, as he tucked a horse blanket
snugly about his legs, he added: "It's a caution the way he gets over
the ground. I never seen a horse that gets over the ground like Bill
does."

Which was probably true enough, for Bill employed every known gait.

"He's a mighty well-broke horse!" agreed Custer in a tone of sincere
conviction.

"He is. He's got more gaits than you can shake a stick at!" said Mr.
Shrimplin.

Privately he labored under the delusion that Bill was dangerous; even
years of singular rectitude on Bill's part had failed to alter his