第9章

ThenWilsonmadeasingularlyswiftmotionandhisgunwaspitchedbuttfirsttowithinafootofherhand。Shesnatcheditup，cockedit，aimedit，allbeforeAnsoncouldmove。Butheyelled：

"Dropthetgun，youlittledevil！"

Riggsturnedghastlyasthebigbluegunlinedonhim。Healsoyelled，butthatyellwasdifferentfromAnson\'s。

"Runordance！"criedthegirl。

Thebiggunboomedandleapedalmostoutofherhand。Shetookbothhands，andcalledderisivelyasshefiredagain。

ThesecondbullethitatRiggs\'sfeet，scatteringthedustandfragmentsofstonealloverhim。Heboundedhere——

there——thendartedfortherocks。AthirdtimetheheavygunspokeandthisbulletmusthavetickedRiggs，forheletoutahoarsebawlandleapedsheerfortheprotectionofarock。

"Plughim！Shootoffaleg！"yelledSnakeAnson，whoopingandstamping，asRiggsgotoutofsight。

JimWilsonwatchedthewholeperformancewiththesamequietnessthathadcharacterizedhismannertowardthegirl。

Then，asRiggsdisappeared，Wilsonsteppedforwardandtookthegunfromthegirl\'stremblinghands。Shewaswhiterthanever，butstillresoluteanddefiant。WilsontookaglanceoverinthedirectionRiggshadhiddenandthenproceededtoreloadthegun。SnakeAnson\'sroaroflaughterceasedrathersuddenly。

"Hyar，Jim，shemighthaveheldupthewholegangwiththetgun，"heprotested。

"Ireckonshe\'ain\'tnothin\'ag\'in\'us，"repliedWilson。

"A-huh！Youknowalotaboutwimmennow，don\'tyou？Butthetdidmyheartgood。Jim，what\'nearthwouldyouhavedidifthet\'dbeenyouinsteadofRiggs？"

Thequeryseemedimportantandamazing。Wilsonpondered。

"ShoreI\'dstoodthere——stock-still——an\'nevermovedaneye-winker。"

"An\'lethershoot！"ejaculatedAnson，noddinghislonghead。"Me，too！"

Sotheseroughoutlaws，inuredtoalltheviolenceandbasenessoftheirdishonestcalling，rosetothechallengingcourageofaslipofagirl。Shehadtheonethingtheyrespected——nerve。

Justthenahalloo，fromthepromontorybroughtAnsonupwithastart。Mutteringtohimself，hestrodeouttowardthejaggedrocksthathidtheoutlook。MozeshuffledhisburlyformafterAnson。

"Miss，itshorewasgrand——thetperformanceofMisterGunmanRiggs，"remarkedJimWilson，attentivelystudyingthegirl。

"Muchobligedtoyouforlendingmeyourgun，"shereplied。

"I——IhopeIhithim——alittle。"

"Wal，ifyoudidn\'tstinghim，thenJimWilsonknowsnothin\'

aboutlead。"

"JimWilson？Areyoutheman——theoutlawmyuncleAlknew？"

"ReckonIam，miss。FerIknowedAlshoreenough。What\'dhesayabootme？"

"IrememberoncehewastellingmeaboutSnakeAnson\'sgang。

Hementionedyou。Saidyouwerearealgun-fighter。Andwhatashameitwasyouhadtobeanoutlaw。"

"Wal！An\'sooldAlspokethetniceofme……It\'stolerablelikelyI\'llremember。An\'now，miss，canIdoanythin\'foryou？"

Swiftasaflashshelookedathim。

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Wal，shoreIdon\'tmeanmuch，I\'msorrytosay。Nothin\'tomakeyoulooklikethet……Ihevtobeanoutlaw，shoreasyou\'reborn。But——mebbethere\'sadifferenceinoutlaws。"

Sheunderstoodhimandpaidhimthecomplimentnottovoicehersuddenupflashinghopethathemightbeonetobetrayhisleader。

"Pleasetakethisropeoffmyfeet。Letmewalkalittle。

Letmehavea——alittleprivacy。ThatfoolwatchedeverymoveImade。Ipromisenottorunaway。And，oh！I\'mthirsty。"

"Shoreyou\'vegotsense。"Hefreedherfeetandhelpedhergetup。"There\'llbesomefreshwateranyminitnow，ifyou\'llwait。"

ThenheturnedhisbackandwalkedovertowhereRiggssatnursingabullet-burnonhisleg。

"Say，Riggs，I\'mtakin\'theresponsibilityofloosin\'thegirlforalittlespell。Shecan\'tgetaway。An\'thereain\'tanysenseinbein\'mean。"

Riggsmadenoreply，andwentonrollingdownhistrousersleg，lappedafoldoveratthebottomandpulledonhisboot。Thenhestrodeouttowardthepromontory。Half-waythereheencounteredAnsontrampingback。

"Beasley\'scomin\'onewayan\'Shady\'scomin\'another。We\'llbeoffthishotpointofrockbynoon，"saidtheoutlawleader。

Riggswentontothepromontorytolookforhimself。

"Where\'sthegirl？"demandedAnson，insurprise，whenhegotbacktothecamp。

"Wal，she\'swalkin\'\'roundbetweenheahan\'Pine，"drawledWilson。

"Jim，youletherloose？"

"ShoreIdid。She\'sbeenhawg-tiedallthetime。An\'shesaidshe\'dnotrunoff。I\'dtakethetgirl\'swordeventoasheep-thief。"

"A-huh。SowouldI，forallofthet。But，Jim，somethin\'sworkin\'inyou。Ain\'tyousortofrememberin\'atimewhenyouwasyoung——an\'mebbeknowedprettykidslikethisone？"

"Wal，ifIamit\'llshoreturnoutbadfersomebody。"

Ansongavehimasurprisedstareandsuddenlylostthebanteringtone。

"A-huh！Sothet\'showit\'sworkin\'，"hereplied，andflunghimselfdownintheshade。

YoungBurtmadehisappearancethen，wipinghissallowface。

Hisdeep-set，hungryeyes，uponwhichhiscomradessetsuchstore，rovedaroundthecamp。

"Whar\'sthegurl？"hequeried。

"Jimlethergooutferastroll，"repliedAnson。

"IseenJimwasgittin\'softyoverher。Haw！Haw！Haw！"

ButSnakeAnsondidnotcrackasmile。Theatmosphereappearednottobecongenialforjokes，afactBurtrathersuddenlydivined。RiggsandMozereturnedfromthepromontory，thelatterreportingthatShadyJoneswasridingupclose。Thenthegirlwalkedslowlyintosightandapproachedtofindaseatwithintenyardsofthegroup。

Theywaitedinsilenceuntiltheexpectedhorsemanrodeupwithwater-bottlesslungonbothsidesofhissaddle。Hisadventwaswelcome。Allthemenwerethirsty。Wilsontookwatertothegirlbeforedrinkinghimself。

"Thet\'sanall-firedhotrideferwater，"declaredtheoutlawShady，whosomehowfittedhisnameincolorandimpression。"An\'，boss，ifit\'sthesametoyouIwon\'ttakeitag\'in。"

"Cheerup，Shady。We\'llberustlin\'backinthemountainsbeforesundown，"saidAnson。

"Hangmeifthatain\'tthecheerfulestnewsI\'vehedinsomedays。Hey，Moze？"

Theblack-facedMozenoddedhisshaggyhead。

"I\'msickan\'soreofthisdeal，"brokeoutBurt，evidentlyencouragedbyhiselders。"Eversincelastfallwe\'vebeenhangin\'\'round——tilljestlatelyfreezin\'incamps——nomoney——nodrink——nogrubwuthhavin\'。Allonpromises！"

Notimprobablythisyoungandrecklessmemberoftheganghadstruckthenoteofdiscord。Wilsonseemedmostdetachedfromanysentimentprevailingthere。Somestrongthoughtswererevolvinginhisbrain。

"Burt，youain\'tinsinuatin\'thetImadepromises？"inquiredAnson，ominously。

"No，boss，Iain\'t。Youallussaidwemighthititrich。Butthempromiseswasmadetoyou。An\'it\'dbejestlikethetgreasertogobackonhiswordnowwegotthegurl。"

"Son，ithappenswegotthewrongone。Ourlong-hairedpardhyar——MisterRiggs——himwiththebiggun——hewaltzesupwiththissassykidinsteadofthewomanBeasleywanted。"

BurtsnortedhisdisgustwhileShadyJones，roundlyswearing，peltedthesmolderingcamp-firewithstones。Thentheyalllapsedintosurlysilence。Theobjectoftheirgrowingscorn，Riggs，satalittlewayapart，facingnoneofthem，butmaintainingasboldafrontasapparentlyhecouldmuster。

Presentlyahorseshotuphisears，thefirstindicationofscentorsoundimperceptibletothemen。Butwiththiscuetheyall，exceptWilson，satupattentively。Soonthecrackofiron-shodhoofsonstonebrokethesilence。Riggsnervouslyrosetohisfeet。Andtheothers，stillexceptingWilson，onebyonefollowedsuit。Inanothermomentarangybayhorsetrottedoutofthecedars，uptothecamp，andhisriderjumpedoffnimblyforsoheavyaman。

"Howdy，Beasley？"wasAnson\'sgreeting。

"Hello，Snake，oldman！"repliedBeasley，ashisbold，snappingblackeyessweptthegroup。Hewasdustyandhot，andwetwithsweat，yetevidentlytooexcitedtofeeldiscomfort。"Iseenyoursmokesignalfirstoffan\'jumpedmyhossquick。ButIrodenorthofPinebeforeIheaded\'roundthisway。DidyoucorralthegirlordidRiggs？Say！——

youlookqueer！……What\'swronghere？Youhaven\'tsignaledmefornothin\'？

SnakeAnsonbeckonedtoBo。

"Comeoutoftheshade。Lethimlookyouover。"

Thegirlwalkedoutfromunderthespreadingcedarthathadhiddenherfromsight。

Beasleystaredaghast——hisjawdropped。

"Thet\'sthekidsisterofthewomanIwanted！"heejaculated。

"Sowe\'vejestbeentold。"

AstonishmentstillheldBeasley。

"Told？"heechoed。Suddenlyhisbigbodyleapedwithastart。"Whogother？，Whofetchedher？"

"Why，MisterGunmanRiggshyar，"repliedAnson，withasubtlescorn。

"Riggs，yougotthewronggirl，"shoutedBeasley。"Youmadethetmistakeoncebefore。What\'reyouupto？"

"Ichasedheran\'whenIgother，seein\'itwasn\'tNellRayner——why——Ikepther，anyhow，"repliedRiggs。"An\'

I\'vegotawordforyourearalone。"

"Man，you\'recrazy——queerin\'mydealthetway！"roaredBeasley。"Youheardmyplans……Riggs，thisgirl-stealin\'can\'tbedonetwice。Wasyoudrinkin\'orlocoedorwhat？"

"Beasley，hewasgivingyouthedouble-cross，"cutinBoRayner\'scoolvoice。

Therancherstaredspeechlesslyather，thenatAnson，thenatWilson，andlastatRiggs，whenhisbrownvisageshadeddarkwithrushofpurpleblood。WithonelungeheknockedRiggsflat，thenstoodoverhimwithaconvulsivehandathisgun。

"Youwhite-liveredcard-sharp！I\'veanotiontoboreyou……Theytoldmeyouhadadealofyourown，an\'nowI

believeit。"

"Yes——Ihad，"repliedRiggs，cautiouslygettingup。Hewasghastly。"ButIwasn\'tdouble-crossin\'you。Yourdealwastogetthegirlawayfromhomesoyoucouldtakepossessionofherproperty。An\'Iwantedher。"

"Whatfordidyoufetchthesister，then？"demandedBeasley，hisbigjawbulging。

"BecauseI\'veaplanto——"

"Planhell！You\'vespoiledmyplanan\'I\'veseenaboutenoughofyou。"Beasleybreathedhard；hisloweringgazebodedanuncertainwilltowardthemanwhohadcrossedhim；

hishandstillhunglowandclutching。

"Beasley，tellthemtogetmyhorse。Iwanttogohome，"

saidBoRayner。

SlowlyBeasleyturned。Herwordsenjoinedasilence。Whattodowithhernowappearedaproblem。

"Ihadnothin\'todowithfetchin\'youherean\'I\'llhavenothin\'todowithsendin\'youbackorwhatever\'sdonewithyou，"declaredBeasley。

Thenthegirl\'sfaceflashedwhiteagainandhereyeschangedtofire。

"You\'reasbigaliarasRiggs，"shecried，passionately。

"Andyou\'reathief，abullywhopicksondefenselessgirls。

Oh，weknowyourgame！MiltDaleheardyourplotwiththisoutlawAnsontostealmysister。Yououghttobehanged——

youhalf-breedgreaser！"

"I\'llcutoutyourtongue！"hissedBeasley。

"Yes，I\'llbetyouwouldifyouhadmealone。Buttheseoutlaws——thesesheep-thieves——thesetoolsyouhirearebetterthanyouandRiggs……WhatdoyousupposeCarmichaelwilldotoyou？Carmichael！He\'smysweetheart——

thatcowboy。YouknowwhathedidtoRiggs。Haveyoubrainsenoughtoknowwhathe\'lldotoyou？"

"He\'llnotdomuch，"growledBeasley。Butthethickpurplishbloodwasrecedingfromhisface。"Yourcowpuncher——"

"Bah！"sheinterrupted，andshesnappedherfingersinhisface。"He\'sfromTexas！He\'sfromTEXAS！"

"Supposin\'heisfromTexas？"demandedBeasley，inangryirritation。"What\'sthet？Texansareallover。There\'sJimWilson，SnakeAnson\'sright-handman。He\'sfromTexas。Butthetain\'tscarin\'anyone。"

HepointedtowardWilson，whoshifteduneasilyfromfoottofoot。Thegirl\'sflamingglancefollowedhishand。

"AreyoufromTexas？"sheasked。

"Yes，Miss，Iam——an\'IreckonIdon\'tdeserveit，"

repliedWilson。Itwascertainthatavagueshameattendedhisconfession。

"Oh！IbelievedevenabanditfromTexaswouldfightforahelplessgirl！"shereplied，inwitheringscornofdisappointment。

JimWilsondroppedhishead。IfanyonetheresuspectedaseriousturntoWilson\'sattitudetowardthatsituationitwasthekeenoutlawleader。

"Beasley，you\'recourtin\'death，"hebrokein。

"Youbetyouare！"addedBo，withapassionthatmadeherlistenersquiver。"You\'veputmeatthemercyofagangofoutlaws！Youmayforcemysisteroutofherhome！Butyourdaywillcome。\'TomCarmichaelwillKILLyou。"

Beasleymountedhishorse。Sullen，livid，furious，hesatshakinginthesaddle，toglaredownattheoutlawleader。

"Snake，thet\'snofaultofminethedeal\'smiscarried。Iwassquare。Imademyofferfortheworkin\'outofmyplan。It\'ain\'tbeendone。Nowthere\'shelltopayan\'I\'mthrough。"

"Beasley，IreckonIcouldn\'tholdyoutoanythin\'，"repliedAnson，slowly。"Butifyouwassquareyouain\'tsquarenow。

We\'vehungaroundan\'triedhard。Mymenareallsore。An\'

we\'rebroke，withnooutfittospeakof。Mean\'youneverfelloutbefore。ButIreckonwemight。"

"DoIoweyouanymoney——accordin\'tothedeal？"demandedBeasley。

"No，youdon\'t，"respondedAnson，sharply。

"Thenthet\'ssquare。Iwashmyhandsofthewholedeal。MakeRiggspayup。He\'sgotmoneyan\'he\'sgotplans。Goinwithhim。"

WiththatBeasleyspurredhishorse，wheeledandrodeaway。

Theoutlawsgazedafterhimuntilhedisappearedinthecedars。

"What\'dyouexpectfromagreaser？"queriedShadyJones。

"Anson，didn\'tIsayso？"addedBurt。

Theblack-visagedMozerolledhiseyeslikeamadbullandJimWilsonstudiouslyexaminedastickheheldinhishands。

Riggsshowedimmenserelief。

"Anson，stakemetosomeofyouroutfitan\'I\'llrideoffwiththegirl，"hesaid，eagerly。

"Where\'dyougonow？"queriedAnson，curiously。

Riggsappearedatalossforaquickanswer；hiswitswerenomoreequaltothispredicamentthanhisnerve。

"You\'renowoodsman。An\'onlessyou\'replumblocoedyou\'dneverriskgoin\'nearPineorShowDown。There\'llberealtrackershuntin\'yourtrail。"

ThelisteninggirlsuddenlyappealedtoWilson。

"Don\'tlethimtakemeoff——alone——inthewoods！"shefaltered。Thatwasthefirstindicationofherweakening。

JimWilsonbrokeintogruffreply。"I\'mnotbossin\'thisgang。"

"Butyou\'reaman！"sheimportuned。

"Riggs，youfetchalongyourpreciousfirebrandan\'comewithus，"saidAnson，craftily。"I\'mparticularcurioustoseeherbrandyou。"

"Snake，lemmetakethegirlbacktoPine，"saidJimWilson。

Ansonsworehisamaze。

"It\'ssense，"continuedWilson。"We\'veshoregotourowntroubles，an\'keepin\'her\'llonlyaddtothem。I\'veahunch。NowyouknowIain\'toftengivin\'tobuckin\'yoursay-so。Butthisdealain\'ttastin\'goodtome。Thetgirloughttobesenthome。"

"Butmebbethere\'ssomethin\'initforus。Hersister\'dpaytogitherback。"

"Wal，Ishorehopeyou\'llrecollectIoffered——thet\'sall，"concludedWilson。

"Jim，ifwewantedtogitridofherwe\'dletRiggstakeheroff，"remonstratedtheoutlawleader。Hewasperturbedandundecided。Wilsonworriedhim。

ThelongTexanveeredaroundfullfaced。Whatsubtletransformationinhim！

"Likehellwewould！"hesaid。

ItcouldnothavebeenthetonethatcausedAnsontoquail。

Hemighthavebeenleaderhere，buthewasnotthegreaterman。Hisfaceclouded。

"Breakcamp，"heordered。

RiggshadprobablynotheardthatlastexchangebetweenAnsonandWilson，forhehadwalkedafewrodsasidetogethishorse。

Inafewmomentswhentheystartedoff，Burt，Jones，andMozewereintheleaddrivingthepack-horses，Ansonrodenext，thegirlcamebetweenhimandRiggs，andsignificantly，itseemed，JimWilsonbroughtuptherear。

Thisstartwasmadealittleafterthenoonhour。Theyzigzaggeduptheslope，tooktoadeepravine，andfollowedituptowhereitheadedinthelevelforest。Fromtheretravelwasrapid，thepack-horsesbeingdrivenatajogtrot。

Oncewhenatroopofdeerburstoutofathicketintoaglade，tostandwithearshigh，youngBurthaltedthecavalcade。Hiswell-aimedshotbroughtdownadeer。Thenthemenrodeon，leavinghimbehindtodressandpackthemeat。

Theonlyotherhaltmadewasatthecrossingofthefirstwater，aclear，swiftbrook，wherebothhorsesandmendrankthirstily。HereBurtcaughtupwithhiscomrades。

Theytraversedgladeandpark，andwendedacrookedtrailthroughthedeepeningforest，andclimbed，benchafterbench，tohigherground，whilethesunslopedtothewestward，lowerandredder。Sunsethadgone，andtwilightwasmomentarilybrighteningtotheafterglowwhenAnson，breakinghissilenceoftheafternoon，orderedahalt。

Theplacewaswild，dismal，ashallowvalebetweendarkslopesofspruce。Grass，fire-wood，andwaterwerethereinabundance。Allthemenwereoff，throwingsaddlesandpacks，beforethetiredgirlmadeanefforttogetdown。Riggs，observingher，madeanotungentlemovetopullheroff。Shegavehimasoundingslapwithherglovedhand。

"Keepyourpawstoyourself，"shesaid。Noevidenceofexhaustionwasthereinherspirit。

Wilsonhadobservedthisby-play，butAnsonhadnot。

"Whatcomeoff？"heasked。

"Wal，theHonorableGunmanRiggsjestgotcaressedbythelady——ashewasdoin\'theelegant，"repliedMoze，whostoodnearest。

"Jim，wasyouwatchin\'？"queriedAnson。Hiscuriosityhadheldthroughtheafternoon。

"Hetriedtoyankheroffan\'shebiffedhim，"repliedWilson。

"ThatRiggsisjestdaffyorplainlocoed，"saidSnake，inanasidetoMoze。

"Boss，youmeanplaincussed。Markmywords，he\'llhoodoothisoutfit。Jimwasfiggerin\'correct。"

"Hoodoo——"cursedAnson，underhisbreath。

Manyhandsmadequickwork。Inafewmomentsafirewasburningbrightly，waterwasboiling，potsweresteaming，theodorofvenisonpermeatedthecoolair。Thegirlhadatlastslippedoffhersaddletotheground，whereshesatwhileRiggsledthehorseaway。Shesatthereapparentlyforgotten，apatheticdrooptoherhead。

Wilsonhadtakenanaxandwasvigorouslywieldingitamongthespruces。Onebyonetheyfellwithswishandsoftcrash。

Thentheslidingringoftheaxtoldhowhewasslicingoffthebrancheswithlongsweeps。Presentlyheappearedinthesemi-darkness，dragginghalf-trimmedsprucesbehindhim。Hemadeseveraltrips，thelastofwhichwastostaggerunderahugeburdenofspruceboughs。Thesehespreadunderalow，projectingbranchofanaspen。Thenheleanedthebushysprucesslantinglyagainstthisbranchonbothsides，quicklyimprovisingaV-shapedshelterwithnarrowapertureinfront。Nextfromoneofthepackshetookablanketandthrewthatinsidetheshelter。Then，touchingthegirlontheshoulder，hewhispered：

"Whenyou\'reready，slipinthere。An\'don\'tlosenosleepbyworryin\'，ferI\'llbelayin\'righthere。"

Hemadeamotiontoindicatehislengthacrossthefrontofthenarrowaperture。

"Oh，thankyou！MaybeyoureallyareaTexan，"shewhisperedback。

"Mebbe，"washisgloomyreply。

CHAPTERXXI

ThegirlrefusedtotakefoodprofferedherbyRiggs，butsheateanddrankalittlethatWilsonbroughther，thenshedisappearedinthesprucelean-to。

WhateverloquacityandcompanionshiphadpreviouslyexistedinSnakeAnson\'sgangwerenotmanifestinthiscamp。Eachmanseemedpreoccupied，asifponderingthedawninhismindofanillomennotcleartohimyetandnotyetdreamedofbyhisfellows。Theyallsmoked。ThenMozeandShadyplayedcardsawhilebythelightofthefire，butitwasadullgame，inwhicheitherseldomspoke。Riggssoughthisblanketfirst，andthefactwassignificantthathelaydownsomedistancefromthespruceshelterwhichcontainedBoRayner。

PresentlyyoungBurtwentoffgrumblingtohisbed。Andnotlongafterwardthecard-playersdidlikewise。

SnakeAnsonandJimWilsonwereleftbroodinginsilencebesidethedyingcamp-fire。

Thenightwasdark，withonlyafewstarsshowing。Afitfulwindmoanedunearthlythroughthespruce。Anoccasionalthumpofhoofsoundedfromthedarkwoods。Nocryofwolforcoyoteorcatgaverealitytothewildnessofforest-land。

Byandbythosemenwhohadrolledintheirblanketswerebreathingdeepandslowinheavyslumber。

"Jim，ItakeitthishyarRiggshasqueeredourdeal，"saidSnakeAnson，inlowvoice。

"Ireckon，"repliedWilson。

"An\'I\'mfearedhe\'squeeredthishyarWhiteMountaincountryferus。"

"ShoreI\'ain\'tgotsofarasthet。Whatd\'yemean，Snake？"

"DammeifIsavvy，"wasthegloomyreply。"Ionlyknowwhatwasbadlooksgrowin\'wuss。Lastfall——an\'winter——an\'

nowit\'snearApril。We\'vegotnooutfittomakealongstandinthewoods……Jim，jesthowstrongisthetBeasleydowninthesettlements？"

"I\'veahunchheain\'thalfasstrongashebluffs。"

"Me，too。Igotthetideeyesterday。Hewasscaredofthekid——whenshefiredupan\'sentthethot-shotabouthercowboysweetheartkillin\'him。He\'lldoit，Jim。IseenthatCarmichaelatMagdalenasomeyearsago。Thenhewasonlyayoungster。But，whew！Mebbehewasn\'tbadaftertoyin\'withalittleredliquor。"

"Shore。HewasfromTexas，shesaid。"

"Jim，Isavviedyourfeelin\'swashurt——bythettalkaboutTexas——an\'whensheupan\'askedyou。"

Wilsonhadnorejoinderforthisremark。

"Wal，Lordknows，Iain\'twonderin\'。Youwasn\'tahuntedoutlawallyourlife。An\'neitherwasI……Wilson，I

neverwaskeenonthisgirldeal——now，wasI？"

"Ireckonit\'shonesttosaynotothet，"repliedWilson。

Butit\'sdone。Beasley\'llgetpluggedsoonerorlater。Thetwon\'thelpusany。Chasin\'sheep-herdersoutofthecountryan\'stealin\'sheep——thetain\'tstealin\'gurlsbyalongsight。Beasley\'llblamethatonus，an\'begreaserenoughtosendsomeofhismenouttohuntus。ForPinean\'ShowDownwon\'tstandthetlong。There\'sthemMormons。They\'llbehellwhentheywakeup。SupposeCarmichaelgotthethunterDalean\'themhawk-eyedBeemansonourtrail？"

"Wal，we\'dcashin——quick，"repliedAnson，gruffly。

"Thenwhydidn\'tyouletmetakethegurlbackhome？"

"Wal，cometothinkofthet，Jim，I\'msore，an\'Ineedmoney——an\'Iknowedyou\'dnevertakeadollarfromhersister。

An\'I\'vemadeupmymindtogitsomethin\'outofher。"

"Snake，you\'renofool。How\'llyoudothetsamean\'doitquick？"

"\'Ain\'treckoneditoutyet。"

"Wal，yougotabootto-morreran\'thet\'sall，"returnedWilson，gloomily。

"Jim，what\'sailin\'you？"

"I\'llletyoufiggerthetout。"

"Wal，somethin\'ailsthewholegang，"declaredAnson，savagely。"Withthemit\'snothin\'toeat——nowhisky——nomoneytobetwith——notobacco！……Butthet\'snotwhat\'sailin\'you，JimWilson，norme！"

"Wal，whatis，then？"queriedWilson。

"Withmeit\'sastrangefeelin\'thetmyday\'soverontheseranges。Ican\'texplain，butitjestfeelsso。Somethin\'intheair。Idon\'tlikethemdarkshadowsoutthereunderthespruces。Savvy？……An\'asferyou，Jim——wal，youalluswashalfdecent，an\'mygang\'sgottoolowdownferyou。"

"Snake，didIeverfailyou？"

"No，youneverdid。You\'rethebestpardIeverknowed。Intheyearswe\'verustledtogetherweneverhadacontrarywordtillIletBeasleyfillmyearswithhispromises。

Thet\'smyfault。But，Jim，it\'stoolate。"

"Itmightn\'thavebeentoolateyesterday。"

"Mebbenot。Butitisnow，an\'I\'llhangontothegirlorgitherworthingold，"declaredtheoutlaw，grimly。

"Snake，I\'veseenstrongergangsthanyourscomean\'go。

ThemBigBendgangsinmycountry——themrustlers——theywereallbadmen。Youhavenolikesofthemgangsoutheah。

Iftheydidn\'tgetwipedoutbyRangersorcowboys，whytheyjestnaturallywipedoutthemselves。Thet\'salawI

recognizeinrelationtogangslikethem。An\'asforyours——why，Anson，itwouldn\'tholdwateragainstonerealgun-slinger。"

"A-huh\'Thenifweranupag\'in\'Carmichaelorsomesuchfellar——wouldyoubesuckin\'yourfingerlikeababy？"

"Wal，Iwasn\'ttakin\'countofmyself。Iwastakin\'

generalities。"

"Aw，what\'nhellarethem？"askedAnson，disgustedly。Jim，Iknowaswellasyouthetthishyargangishardput。We\'regoin\'tobetrailedan\'chased。We\'vegottohide——beonthegoallthetime——herean\'there——allover，intheroughestwoods。An\'waitourchancetoworksouth。"

"Shore。But，Snake，youain\'ttakin\'nocountofthefeelin\'softhemen——an\'ofminean\'yours……I\'llbetyoumyhossthetinadayorsothisgangwillgotopieces。"

"I\'mfearedyouspokewhat\'sbeencrowdin\'togitinmymind，"repliedAnson。Thenhethrewuphishandsinastrangegestureofresignation。Theoutlawwasbrave，butallmenofthewildsrecognizedaforcestrongerthanthemselves。Hesatthereresemblingabroodingsnakewithbasiliskeyesuponthefire。Atlengthhearose，andwithoutanotherwordtohiscomradehewalkedwearilytowherelaythedark，quietformsofthesleepers。

JimWilsonremainedbesidetheflickeringfire。Hewasreadingsomethingintheredembers，perhapsthepast。

Shadowswereonhisface，notallfromthefadingflamesorthetoweringspruces。Everandanonheraisedhisheadtolisten，notapparentlythatheexpectedanyunusualsound，butasifinvoluntarily。Indeed，asAnsonhadsaid，therewassomethingnamelessintheair。Theblackforestbreathedheavily，infitfulmoansofwind。Ithaditssecrets。TheglancesWilsonthrewonallsidesbetrayedthatanyhuntedmandidnotlovethedarknight，thoughithidhim。Wilsonseemedfascinatedbythelifeinclosedtherebytheblackcircleofspruce。Hemighthavebeenreflectingonthestrangereactionhappeningtoeverymaninthatgroup，sinceagirlhadbeenbroughtamongthem。Nothingwasclear，however；theforestkeptitssecret，asdidthemelancholywind；theoutlawsweresleepingliketiredbeasts，withtheirdarksecretslockedintheirhearts。

AfterawhileWilsonputsomesticksontheredembers，thenpulledtheendofalogoverthem。Ablazesputteredup，changingthedarkcircleandshowingthesleeperswiththeirset，shadowedfacesupturned。Wilsongazedonallofthem，asardonicsmileonhislips，andthenhislookfixeduponthesleeperapartfromtheothers——Riggs。ItmighthavebeenthefalselightofflameandshadowthatcreatedWilson\'sexpressionofdarkandterriblehate。Oritmighthavebeenthetruth，expressedinthatlonely，unguardedhour，fromthedepthsofamanbornintheSouth——amanwhobyhisinheritanceofracehadreverenceforallwomanhood——bywhosestrange，wild，outlawedbloodylifeofagun-fighterhemusthatewiththedeadliesthatethistypethatapedandmockedhisfame。

ItwasalonggazeWilsonresteduponRiggs——asstrangeandsecretiveastheforestwindmoaningdownthegreataisles——andwhenthatdarkgazewaswithdrawnWilsonstalkedawaytomakehisbedwiththestrideofoneillwhomspirithadliberatedforce。

Helaidhissaddleinfrontofthespruceshelterwherethegirlhadentered，andhistarpaulinandblanketslikewiseandthenwearilystretchedhislonglengthtorest。

Thecamp-fireblazedup，showingtheexquisitegreen。andbrown-fleckedfestooningofthesprucebranches，symmetricalandperfect，yetsoirregular，andthenitburnedoutanddieddown，leavingallinthedimgraystarlight。Thehorseswerenotmovingaround；themoanofnightwindhadgrownfainter；thelowhumofinsects，wasdyingaway；eventhetinkleofthebrookhaddiminished。Andthatgrowthtowardabsolutesilencecontinued，yetabsolutesilencewasneverattained。Lifeabidedintheforest；onlyithadchangeditsformforthedarkhours。

Anson\'sgangdidnotbestirthemselvesattheusualearlysunrisehourcommontoallwoodsmen，hunters，oroutlaws，towhomthebreakofdaywaswelcome。Thesecompanions——AnsonandRiggsincluded——mighthavehatedtoseethedawncome。

Itmeantonlyanothermeagermeal，thenthewearypackingandthelong，longridetonowhereinparticular，andanothermeagermeal——alltoiledforwithouteventhenecessitiesofsatisfactoryliving，andassuredlywithoutthethrillinghopesthatmadetheirlifesignificant，andcertainlywithagrowingsenseofapproachingcalamity。

Theoutlawleaderrosesurlyandcross-grained。HehadtobootBurttodrivehimoutforthehorses。Riggsfollowedhim。ShadyJonesdidnothingexceptgrumble。Wilson，bycommonconsent，alwaysmadethesour-doughbread，andhewasslowaboutitthismorning。AnsonandMozedidtherestofthework，withoutalacrity。Thegirldidnotappear。

"Isshedead？"growledAnson。

"No，sheain\'t，"repliedWilson，lookingup。"She\'ssleepin\'。Lethersleep。She\'dshorebeasightbetteroffifshewasdaid。"

"A-huh！Sowouldallofthishyaroutfit，"wasAnson\'sresponse。

"Wal，Sna-ake，Ishorereckonwe\'llallbethettheresoon，"

drawledWilson，inhisfamiliarcoolandirritatingtonethatsaidsomuchmorethanthecontentofthewords。

AnsondidnotaddresstheTexasmemberofhispartyagain。

Burtrodebarebackintocamp，drivinghalfthenumberofthehorses；Riggsfollowedshortlywithseveralmore。Butthreeweremissed，oneofthembeingAnson\'sfavorite。Hewouldnothavebudgedwithoutthathorse。Duringbreakfasthegrowledabouthislazymen，andafterthemealtriedtourgethemoff。Riggswentunwillingly。Burtrefusedtogoatall。

"Nix。IfootedthemhillsallI\'ma-goin\'to，"hesaid。"An\'

fromnowonIrustlemyownhoss。"

Theleaderglaredhisreceptionofthisopposition。Perhapshissenseoffairnessactuatedhimoncemore，forheorderedShadyandMozeouttodotheirshare。

"Jim，you\'rethebesttrackerinthisoutfit。Supposeyougo，"suggestedAnson。"Youallususedtobethefirstoneoff。"

"Timeshaschanged，Snake，"wastheimperturbablereply。

"Wal，won\'tyougo？"demandedtheleader，impatiently。

"Ishorewon\'t。"

WilsondidnotlookorintimateinanywaythathewouldnotleavethegirlincampwithoneoranyorallofAnson\'sgang，butthetruthwasassignificantasifhehadshoutedit。Theslow-thinkingMozegaveWilsonasinisterlook。

"Boss，ain\'titfunnyhowaprettywench——？"beganShadyJones，sarcastically。

"Shutup，youfool！"brokeinAnson。"Comeon，I\'llhelprustlethemhosses。"

AftertheyhadgoneBurttookhisrifleandstrolledoffintotheforest。Thenthegirlappeared。Herhairwasdown，herfacepale，withdarkshadows。Sheaskedforwatertowashherface。Wilsonpointedtothebrook，andasshewalkedslowlytowardithetookacombandacleanscarffromhispackandcarriedthemtoher。

Uponherreturntothecamp-fireshelookedverydifferentwithherhairarrangedandtheredstainsinhercheeks。

"Miss，airyouhungry？"askedWilson。

"Yes，Iam，"shereplied。

Hehelpedhertoportionsofbread，venisonandgravy，andacupofcoffee。Evidentlysherelishedthemeat，butshehadtoforcedowntherest。

"Wherearetheyall？"sheasked。

"Rustlin\'thehosses。"

Probablyshedivinedthathedidnotwanttotalk，forthefleetingglanceshegavehimattestedtoathoughtthathisvoiceordemeanorhadchanged。Presentlyshesoughtaseatundertheaspen-tree，outofthesun，andthesmokecontinuallyblowinginherface；andthereshestayed，aforlornlittlefigure，foralltheresolutelipsanddefianteyes。

TheTexanpacedtoandfrobesidethecamp-firewithbenthead，andhandslockedbehindhim。Butfortheswinginggunhewouldhaveresembledalankyfarmer，coatlessandhatless，withhisbrownvestopen，histrousersstuckinthetopofthehighboots。

Andneitherhenorthegirlchangedtheirpositionsrelativelyforalongtime。Atlength，however，afterpeeringintothewoods，andlistening，heremarkedtothegirlthathewouldbebackinamoment，andthenwalkedoffaroundthespruces。

Nosoonerhadhedisappeared——infact，soquicklyafter-wardthatitpresupposeddesigninsteadofaccident——

thanRiggscamerunningfromtheoppositesideoftheglade。

Heranstraighttothegirl，whosprangtoherfeet。

"Ihid——twoofthe——horses，"hepanted，huskywithexcitement。"I\'lltake——twosaddles。Yougrabsomegrub。

We\'llrunforit。"

"No，"shecried，steppingback。

"Butit\'snotsafe——forus——here，"hesaid，hurriedly，glancingallaround。"I\'lltakeyou——home。Iswear……

Notsafe——Itellyou——thisgang\'safterme。Hurry！"

Helaidholdoftwosaddles，onewitheachhand。Themomenthadreddenedhisface，brightenedhiseyes，madehisactionstrong。

"I\'msafer——herewiththisoutlawgang，"shereplied。

"Youwon\'tcome！"Hiscolorbegantolightenthen，andhisfacetodistort。Hedroppedhisholdonthesaddles。

"HarveRiggs，I\'dratherbecomeatoyandaragfortheseruffiansthanspendanhouralonewithyou，"sheflashedathim，inunquenchablehate。

"I\'lldragyou！"

Heseizedher，butcouldnotholdher。Breakingaway，shescreamed。

"Help！"

Thatwhitenedhisface，drovehimtofrenzy。Leapingforward，hestruckherahardblowacrossthemouth。Itstaggeredher，and，trippingonasaddle，shefell。Hishandsflewtoherthroat，readytochokeher。Butshelaystillandheldhertongue。Thenhedraggedhertoherfeet。

"Hurrynow——grabthatpack——an\'followme。"AgainRiggslaidholdofthetwosaddles。Adesperategleam，balefulandvainglorious，flashedoverhisface。Hewaslivinghisonegreatadventure。

Thegirl\'seyesdilated。Theylookedbeyondhim。Herlipsopened。

"Screamagainan\'I\'llkillyou！"hecried，hoarselyandswiftly。TheveryopeningofherlipshadterrifiedRiggs。

"Reckononescreamwasenough，"spokeavoice，slow，butwithoutthedrawl，easyandcool，yetincalculableinsometerriblesense。

Riggswheeledwithinarticulatecry。Wilsonstoodafewpacesoff，withhisgunhalfleveled，lowdown。Hisfaceseemedasusual，onlyhiseyesheldaquivering，lightintensity，likeboilingmoltensilver。

"Girl，whatmadethetbloodonyourmouth？"

"Riggshitme！"shewhispered。Thenatsomethingshefearedorsawordivinedsheshrankback，droppedonherknees，andcrawledintothespruceshelter。

"Wal，Riggs，I\'dinviteyoutodrawifthet\'dbeanyuse，"

saidWilson。Thisspeechwasreflective，yetithurriedalittle。

Riggscouldnotdrawnormovenorspeak。Heseemedturnedtostone，excepthisjaw，whichslowlyfell。

"HarveRiggs，gunmanfromdownMissouriway，"continuedthevoiceofincalculableintent，"reckonyou\'velookedintoaheapofgun-barrelsinyourday。Shore！Wal，lookinthisheahone！"

WilsondeliberatelyleveledthegunonalinewithRiggs\'sstartingeyes。

"Wasn\'tyouheardtobraginTurner\'ssaloon——thetyoucouldseeleadcomin\'——an\'dodgeit？Shoreyoumustbeswift！……DODGETHISHEAHBULLET！"

Thegunspoutedflameandboomed。OneofRiggs\'sstarting，poppingeyes——therightone——wentout，likealamp。Theotherrolledhorribly，thensetinblankdeadfixedness。

Riggsswayedinslowmotionuntilalostbalancefelledhimheavily，aninertmass。

Wilsonbentovertheprostrateform。Strange，violentcontrasttothecoolscornoftheprecedingmoment！Hissing，spitting，asifpoisonedbypassion，heburstwiththehatethathischaracterhadforbiddenhimtoexpressonalivingcounterfeit。Wilsonwasshaken，asifbyapalsy。Hechokedoverpassionate，incoherentinvective。Itwasclasshatefirst，thenthehateofrealmanhoodforacraven，thenthehateofdisgraceforamurder。Nomansofairasagun-fighterintheWesterncreedofan"evenbreak"！

Wilson\'sterriblecataclysmofpassionpassed。Straighteningup，hesheathedhisweaponandbeganaslowpacebeforethefire。Notmanymomentsafterwardhejerkedhisheadhighandlistened。Horsesweresoftlythuddingthroughtheforest。

SoonAnsonrodeintosightwithhismenandoneofthestrayedhorses。Itchanced，too，thatyoungBurtappearedontheothersideoftheglade。Hewalkedquickly，asonewhoanticipatednews。

SnakeAnsonashedismountedespiedthedeadman。

"Jim——IthoughtIheardashot。"

Theothersexclaimedandleapedofftheirhorsestoviewtheprostrateformwiththatcuriosityandstrangefearcommontoallmenconfrontedbysightofsuddendeath。

Thatemotionwasonlymomentary。

"Shothislampout！"ejaculatedMoze。

"WonderhowGunmanRiggslikedthetplumbcenterpeg！"

exclaimedShadyJones，withahardlaugh。

"Backofhisheadallgone！"gaspedyoungBurt。Notimprobablyhehadnotseenagreatmanybullet-markedmen。

"Jim！——thelong-hairedfooldidn\'ttrytodrawonyou！"

exclaimedSnakeAnson，astounded。

Wilsonneitherspokenorceasedhispacing。

"Whatwasitover？"addedAnson，curiously。

"Hehitthegurl，"repliedWilson。

Thentherewerelong-drawnexclamationsallaround，andglancemetglance。

"Jim，yousavedmethejob，"continuedtheoutlawleader。

"An\'I\'mmuchobliged……Fellars，searchRiggsan\'we\'lldivvy……Thetallright，Jim？"

"Shore，an\'youcanhavemyshare。"

Theyfoundbank-notesintheman\'spocketandconsiderablegoldworninamoney-beltaroundhiswaist。ShadyJonesappropriatedhisboots，andMozehisgun。Thentheylefthimashehadfallen。

"Jim，you\'llhavetotrackthemlosthosses。Twostillmissin\'an\'oneofthem\'smine，"calledAnsonasWilsonpacedtotheendofhisbeat。

ThegirlheardAnson，forsheputherheadoutofthespruceshelterandcalled："Riggssaidhe\'dhidtwoofthehorses。

Theymustbeclose。Hecamethatway。"

"Howdy，kid！Thet\'sgoodnews，"repliedAnson。Hisspiritswererising。"Hemusthevwantedyoutoslopewithhim？"

"Yes。Iwouldn\'tgo。"

"An\'thenhehityou？"

"Yes。"

"Wal，recallin\'yourtalkofyestiddy，Ican\'tseeasMisterRiggslastedmuchlongerhyarthanhe\'dhevlastedinTexas。

We\'vesomeofthetgreatcountryrightinouroutfit。"

Thegirlwithdrewherwhiteface。

"It\'sbreakcamp，boys，"wastheleader\'sorder。"Acoupleofyoulookupthemhosses。They\'llbehidinsomethickspruces。Therestofus\'llpack。"

Soonthegangwasonthemove，headingtowardtheheightofland，andswervingfromitonlytofindsoftandgrassygroundthatwouldnotleaveanytracks。

Theydidnottravelmorethanadozenmilesduringtheafternoon，buttheyclimbedbenchafterbenchuntiltheyreachedthetimberedplateauthatstretchedinsheerblackslopeuptothepeaks。Hererosethegreatandgloomyforestoffirsandpines，withthespruceovershadowedandthinnedout。Thelasthouroftravelwastediousandtoilsome，azigzag，winding，breaking，climbinghuntforthekindofcamp-sitesuitedtoAnson\'sfancy。Heseemedtobegrowingstrangelyirrationalaboutselectingplacestocamp。Atlast，fornoreasonthatcouldhavebeenmanifesttoagoodwoodsman，hechoseagloomybowlinthecenterofthedensestforestthathadbeentraversed。Theopening，ifsuchitcouldhavebeencalled，wasnotaparkorevenaglade。A

darkcliff，withstrangeholes，rosetooneside，butnotsohighastheloftypinesthatbrushedit。Alongitsbasebabbledabrook，runningoversuchformationofrockthatfromdifferentpointsnearathanditgaveforthdifferentsounds，somesinging，othersmelodious，andoneatleastofahollow，weird，deepsound，notloud，butstrangelypenetrating。

"SurespookyIsay，"observedShady，sentiently。

Thelittleupliftofmood，coincidentwiththeriflingofRiggs\'sperson，hadnotwornovertothiseveningcamp。Whattalktheoutlawsindulgedinwasnecessaryandconductedinlowtones。Theplaceenjoinedsilence。

Wilsonperformedforthegirlverymuchthesameserviceashehadthenightbefore。Onlyheadvisedhernottostarveherself；shemusteattokeepupherstrength。Shecompliedattheexpenseofconsiderableeffort。

Asithadbeenaback-breakingday，inwhichallofthem，exceptthegirl，hadclimbedmilesonfoot，theydidnotlingerawakelongenoughaftersuppertolearnwhatawild，weird，andpitch-blackspottheoutlawleaderhadchosen。

Thelittlespacesofopengroundbetweenthehuge-trunkedpine-treeshadnocounterpartupintheloftyspreadingfoliage。NotastarcouldblinkawanrayoflightintothatStygianpit。Thewind，cuttingdownoverabruptheightsfartherup，sanginthepine-needlesasiftheywerestringsvibrantwithchords。Dismalcreakswereaudible。Theyweretheforestsoundsofbranchortreerubbingoneanother，butwhichneededthecorrectivemediumofdaylighttoconvinceanyhumanthattheywereotherthanghostly。Then，despitethewindanddespitethechangingmurmurofthebrook，thereseemedtobeasilenceinsulatingthem，asdeepandimpenetrableasthedarkness。

Buttheoutlaws，whowerefugitivesnow，sleptthesleepoftheweary，andheardnothing。Theyawokewiththesun，whentheforestseemedsmokyinagoldengloom，whenlightandbirdandsquirrelproclaimedtheday。

Thehorseshadnotstrayedoutofthisbasinduringthenight，acircumstancethatAnsonwasnotslowtoappreciate。

"Itain\'tnocheerfulcamp，butIneverseenasaferplacetoholeupin，"heremarkedtoWilson。

"Wal，yes——ifanyplaceissafe，"repliedthatally，dubiously。

"Wecanwatchourbacktracks。Thereain\'tanyotherwaytogitinhyarthetIsee。"

"Snake，wewastolerablefairsheep-rustlers，butwe\'renogoodwoodsmen。"

Ansongrumbledhisdisdainofthiscomradewhohadoncebeenhismainstay。ThenhesentBurtouttohuntfreshmeatandengagedhisothermenatcards。Astheynowhadthemeanstogamble，theyatoncebecameabsorbed。Wilsonsmokedanddividedhisthoughtfulgazebetweenthegamblersandthedroopingfigureofthegirl。Themorningairwaskeen，andshe，evidentlynotcaringtobenearhercaptorsbesidethecamp-fire，hadsoughttheonlysunnyspotinthisgloomydell。Acoupleofhourspassed；thesunclimbedhigh；theairgrewwarmer。Oncetheoutlawleaderraisedhisheadtoscantheheavy-timberedslopesthatinclosedthecamp。

"Jim，themhossesarestrayin\'off，"heobserved。

Wilsonleisurelyroseandstalkedoffacrossthesmall，openpatches，inthedirectionofthehorses。Theyhadgrazedaroundfromtherighttowardtheoutletofthebrook。Hereheadedaravine，denseandgreen。Twoofthehorseshadgonedown。Wilsonevidentlyheardthem，thoughtheywerenotinsight，andhecircledsomewhatsoastogetaheadofthemanddrivethemback。Theinvisiblebrookrandownovertherockswithmurmurandbabble。Hehaltedwithinstinctiveaction。Helistened。Forestsounds，soft，lulling，cameonthewarm，pine-scentedbreeze。Itwouldhavetakennokeeneartohearsoftandrapidpaddedfootfalls。Hemovedoncautiouslyandturnedintoalittleopen，mossyspot，brown-mattedandodorous，fulloffernsandbluebells。Inthemiddleofthis，deepinthemoss，heespiedahugeroundtrackofacougar。Hebentoverit。Suddenlyhestiffened，thenstraightenedguardedly。Atthatinstanthereceivedahardprodintheback。Throwinguphishands，hestoodstill，thenslowlyturned。Atallhunteringraybuckskin，gray-eyedandsquare-jawed，hadhimcoveredwithacockedrifle。Andbesidethishunterstoodamonstercougar，snarlingandblinking。

CHAPTERXXII

"Howdy，Dale，"drawledWilson。"Reckonyou\'realittlepreviousonme。"

"Sssssh！Notsoloud，"saidthehunter，inlowvoice。

"You\'reJimWilson？"

"Shoream。Say，Dale，youshowedupsoon。Ordidyoujesthappentorunacrostus？"

"I\'vetrailedyou。Wilson，I\'mafterthegirl。"

"IknowedthetwhenIseenyou！"

Thecougarseemedactuatedbythethreateningpositionofhismaster，andheopenedhismouth，showinggreatyellowfangs，andspatatWilson。TheoutlawapparentlyhadnofearofDaleorthecockedrifle，butthathuge，snarlingcatoccasionedhimuneasiness。

"Wilson，I\'veheardyouspokenofasawhiteoutlaw，"saidDale。

"MebbeIam。ButshoreI\'llbeascaredoneinaminit。

Dale，he\'sgoin\'tojumpme！"

"Thecougarwon\'tjumpyouunlessImakehim。Wilson，ifI

letyougowillyougetthegirlforme？"

"Wal，lemmesee。Supposin\'Irefuse？"queriedWilson，shrewdly。

"Then，onewayoranother，it\'sallupwithyou。"

"ReckonI\'ain\'tgotmuchchoice。Yes，I\'lldoit。But，Dale，areyougoin\'totakemywordforthetan\'letmegobacktoAnson？"

"Yes，Iam。You\'renofool。An\'Ibelieveyou\'resquare。

I\'vegotAnsonandhisgangcorralled。Youcan\'tslipme——

notinthesewoods。Icouldrunoffyourhorses——pickyouoffonebyone——orturnthecougarlooseonyouatnight。"

"Shore。It\'syourgame。Ansondealthimselfthishand……

Betweenyouan\'me，Dale，Ineverlikedthedeal。"

"WhoshotRiggs？……Ifoundhisbody。"

"Wal，yourstrulywasaroundwhenthetcomeoff，"repliedWilson，withaninvoluntarylittleshudder。Somethoughtmadehimsick。

"Thegirl？Isshesafe——unharmed？"queriedDale，hurriedly。

"She\'sshorejestassafean\'soundaswhenshewashome。

Dale，she\'sthegamestkidtheteverbreathed！Why，noonecouldhevevermademebelieveagirl，akidlikeher，couldhevthenerveshe\'sgot。Nothin\'shappenedtoher\'ceptRiggshitherinthemouth……Ikilledhimforthet……An\'，sohelpme，God，Ibelieveit\'sbeenworkin\'inmetosavehersomehow！Nowit\'llnotbesohard。"

"Buthow？"demandedDale。

"Lemmesee……Wal，I\'vegottosneakheroutofcampan\'

meetyou。Thet\'sall。"

"Itmustbedonequick。"

"But，Dale，listen，"remonstratedWilson，earnestly。"Tooquick\'llbeasbadastooslow。Snakeissorethesedays，gittin\'sorerallthetime。Hemightsavvysomethin\'，ifI

ain\'tcareful，an\'killthegirlordoherharm。Iknowthesefellars。They\'reallreadytogotopieces。An\'shoreImustplaysafe。Shoreit\'dbesafertohaveaplan。"

Wilson\'sshrewd，lighteyesgleamedwithanidea。Hewasabouttoloweroneofhisupraisedhands，evidentlytopointtothecougar，whenhethoughtbetterofthat。

"Anson\'sscaredofcougars。Mebbewecanscarehiman\'thegangsoit\'dbeeasytosneakthegirloff。Canyoumakethetbigbrutedotricks？Rushthecampatnightan\'squallan\'chaseoffthehorses？"

"I\'llguaranteetoscareAnsonoutoftenyears\'growth，"

repliedDale。

"Shoreit\'sago，then，"resumedWilson，asifglad。"I\'llpostthegirl——giveherahunchtodoherpart。Yousneakupto-nightjestbeforedark。I\'llhevthegangworkedup。

An\'thenyouputthecougartohistricks，whateveryouwant。WhentheganggitswildI\'llgrabthegirlan\'packheroffdownheahorsomewheresabootan\'whistleferyou……Butmebbethetain\'tsogood。If\'thetcougarcomespilin\'intocamphemightjumpmeinsteadofoneofthegang。An\'anotherhunch。He，mightslopeuponmeinthedarkwhenIwastryin\'tofindyou。Shorethetain\'tappealin\'tome。"

"Wilson，thiscougarisapet，"repliedDale。"Youthinkhe\'sdangerous，buthe\'snot。Nomorethanakitten。Heonlylooksfierce。Hehasneverbeenhurtbyapersonan\'he\'sneverfoughtanythin\'himselfbutdeeran\'bear。Icanmakehimtrailanyscent。ButthetruthisIcouldn\'tmakehimhurtyouoranybody。Allthesame，hecanbemadetoscarethehairoffanyonewhodoesn\'tknowhim。"

"Shorethetsettlesme。I\'llbehavin\'agrandjokewhilethemfellarsisscaredtodeath……Dale，youcandependonme。An\'I\'mbeholdin\'toyouferwhat\'llsquaremesomewithmyself……To-night，an\'ifitwon\'tworkthen，to-morrernightshore！"

Daleloweredtherifle。Thebigcougarspatagain。Wilsondroppedhishandsand，steppingforward，splitthegreenwallofintersectingsprucebranches。Thenheturneduptheravinetowardtheglen。Oncethere，insightofhiscomrades，hisactionandexpressionchanged。

"Hossesallthar，Jim？"askedAnson，ashepickedup，hiscards。

"Shore。Theyactawfulqueer，themhosses，"replied。Wilson。

"They\'reafraidofsomethin\'。"

"A-huh！Silvertipmebbe，"mutteredAnson。"Jim，Youjestkeepwatchofthemhosses。We\'dbedoneifsometarnalvarmintstampededthem。"

"ReckonI\'melectedtodoalltheworknow，"complainedWilson，"whileyoucard-sharpscheateachother。"Rustlethehosses——an\'wateran\'fire-wood。Cookan\'wash。Hey？"

"NooneIeverseencandothemcamptricksanybetter\'nJimWilson，"repliedAnson。

"Jim，you\'realady\'smanan\'thar\'sourprettyhoodoooverthartofeedan\'amoose，"remarkedShadyJones，withasmilethatdisarmedhisspeech。

Theoutlawsguffawed。

"Gitout，Jim，you\'rebreakin\'upthegame，"saidMoze，whoappearedloser。

"Wal，thetgurlwouldstarveifitwasn\'tferme，"repliedWilson，genially，andhewalkedovertowardher，beginningtoaddressher，quiteloudly，asheapproached。"Wal，miss，I\'melectedcookan\'I\'dshoreliketoheahwhatyoufancyferdinner。"

Theoutlawsheard，fortheyguffawedagain。"Haw！Haw！ifJimain\'tfunny！"exclaimedAnson。

Thegirllookedupamazed。Wilsonwaswinkingather，andwhenhegotnearhebegantospeakrapidlyandlow。

"IjestmetDaledowninthewoodswithhispetcougar。He\'safteryou。I\'mgoin\'tohelphimgityousafeaway。Nowyoudoyourpart。Iwantyoutopretendyou\'vegonecrazy。

Savvy？Actoutofyourhead！ShoreIdon\'tcarewhatyoudoorsay，onlyactcrazy。An\'don\'tbescared。We\'regoin\'toscarethegangsoI\'llhevachancetosneakyouaway。

To-nightorto-morrow——shore。"

Beforehebegantospeakshewaspale，sad，dullofeye。

Swiftly，withhiswords，shewastransformed，andwhenhehadendedshedidnotappearthesamegirl。Shegavehimoneblazingflashofcomprehensionandnoddedherheadrapidly。

"Yes，Iunderstand。I\'lldoit！"shewhispered。

Theoutlawturnedslowlyawaywiththemostabstractair，confoundedamidhisshrewdacting，andhedidnotcollecthimselfuntilhalf-waybacktohiscomrades。Then，beginningtohumanolddarkytune，hestirredupandreplenishedthefire，andsetaboutpreparationforthemiddaymeal。Buthedidnotmissanythinggoingonaroundhim。Hesawthegirlgointohershelterandcomeoutwithherhairalldownoverherface。Wilson，backtohiscomrades，grinnedhisglee，andhewaggedhisheadasifhethoughtthesituationwasdeveloping。

Thegamblingoutlaws，however，didnotatonceseethegirlpreeningherselfandsmoothingherlonghairinawaycalculatedtostartle。

"Busted！"ejaculatedAnson，withacurse，asheslammeddownhiscards。"IfIain\'thoodooedI\'matwo-bitofagambler！"

"Sartinyou\'rehoodooed，"saidShadyJones，inscorn。"Isthetjestdawnin\'onyou？"

"Boss，youplaylikeacowstuckinthemud，"remarkedMoze，laconically。

"Fellars，itain\'tfunny，"declaredAnson，withpatheticgravity。"I\'mjestgittin\'ontomyself。Somethin\'swrong。

Since\'waylastfallnoluck——nothin\'butthewustendofeverythin\'。Iain\'tblamin\'anybody。I\'mtheboss。It\'smethet\'soff。"

"Snake，shoreitwasthegurldealyoumade，"rejoinedWilson，whohadlistened。"Itoldyou。Ourtroubleshevonlybegun。An\'Icanseethewind-up。Look！"