Hilmaleapedbackfromhimwithaninstinctiverecoilofherwholebeing，throwingoutherhandsinagestureofdefence，fearingsheknewnotwhat。Therewasasyetnosenseofinsultinhermind，nooutragedmodesty。Shewasonlyterrified。Itwasasthoughsearchingforwildflowersshehadcomesuddenlyuponasnake。
Shestoodforaninstant，spellbound，hereyeswide，herbosomswelling。then，allatonce，turnedandfled，dartingacrosstheplankthatservedforafootbridgeoverthecreek，gainingtheoppositebankanddisappearingwithabriskrustleofunderbrush，suchasmighthavebeenmadebytheflightofafrightenedfawn。
AbruptlyAnnixterfoundhimselfalone。Foramomenthedidnotmove，thenhepickeduphiscampaignhat，carefullycreaseditslimpcrownandputitonhisheadandstoodforamoment，lookingvaguelyatthegroundonbothsidesofhim。Hewentawaywithoututteringaword，withoutchangeofcountenance，hishandsinhispockets，hisfeettakinggreatstridesalongthetrailinthedirectionoftheranchhouse。
HehadnosightofHilmaagainthatevening，andthenextmorninghewasupearlyanddidnotbreakfastattheranchhouse。
BusinessoftheLeaguecalledhimtoBonnevilletoconferwithMagnusandthefirmoflawyersretainedbytheLeaguetofighttheland-grabbingcases。AnappealwastobetakentotheSupremeCourtatWashington，anditwastobesettledthatdaywhichofthecasesinvolvedshouldbeconsideredastestcases。