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！\"