WYOMING: A STORY OF THE OUTDOOR WEST By William MacLeod Raine

7/31/2019 WYOMING: A STORY OF THE OUTDOOR WEST By William MacLeod Raine

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WYOMING:ASTORYOFTHEOUTDOORWEST

By

WilliamMacLeodRaine

TABLEOFCONTENTS

1.ADESERTMEETING2.THEKINGOFTHEBIGHORNCOUNTRY3.ANINVITATIONGIVENANDACCEPTED4.ATTHELAZYDRANCH5.THEDANCEATFRASER'S6.APARTYCALL7.THEMANFROMTHESHOSHONEFASTNESSES8.INTHELAZYDHOSPITAL9.ARESCUE12.MISTRESSANDMAID13.THETWOCOUSINS14.FORTHEWORLD'SCHAMPIONSHIP15.JUDDMORGANPASSES16.HUNTINGBIGGAME17.RUNTOEARTH

18.PLAYINGFORTIME19.WESTPOINTTOTHERESCUE20.TWOCASESOFDISCIPLINE21.THESIGNALLIGHTS22.EXITTHEKING23.JOURNEYSENDINLOVERS'MEETING.

CHAPTER1.ADESERTMEETING

Anautomobileshotoutfromagashinthehillsandslippedswiftlydown

tothebutte.Hereitcametoahaltonthewhite,dustyroad,whileitsoccupantgazedwitheager,unsatedeyesonthegreatpanoramathatstretchedbeforeher.Theearthrolledinwaveslikeamightyseatothedistanthorizonline.Fromawonderfulblueskypoureddownuponthelandabathofsunbeat.Theairwaslikewine,pureandstrong,andabovethedesertswamtherare,untemperedlightofWyoming.Surelyherewasapeaceprimeval,asilenceunbrokensincethebirthofcreation.

Itwasallnewtoher,andwonderfullyexhilarating.Theinfiniterollofplain,thedistantshiningmountains,themultitudinousvoicesofthedesertdrownedinasunlitseaofspace--theywerealldetailsofthesituationthatministeredtoalargeserenity.

Andwhileshebreatheddeeplythesatisfactionofit,anexplodingrifleechoshatteredthestillness.Withexcitedsputteringcamethepromptanswerofafusillade.ShewasnewtotheWest;butsomeinstinctstrongerthanreasontoldthegirlthatherewasnoplayfulpunchershootingupthescenerytoventilatehisexuberance.Herimaginationconceivedsomethingmoredeadly;asinisterpictureofmenpumpingleadinagrim,close-lippedsilence;alustyplainsman,withmurderinhisheart,crumplingintoalifelessheap,whilethethinsmoke-spiralcurledfromhishotrifle.


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Sothegirlimaginedthesceneassheranswiftlyforwardthroughthepinestotheedgeofthebuttebluffwhenceshemightlookdownuponthecouleethatnestledagainstit.Norhadshegreatlyerred,forherfirstsweepingglanceshowedherthethingshehaddreaded.

Inasemicircle,wellbackfromthefootofthebutte,halfadozenmencrouchedinthecoverofthesage-brushandascatteredgroupofcottonwoods.Theywereperhapsfiftyyardsapart,andtheattentionofallofthemwasfocusedonaspotdirectlybeneathher.Evenasshelooked,inthatfirstswiftmomentofapprehension,aspurtofsmokecamefromoneoftheriflesandwasflungbackfromtheforkedpineatthebottomofthemesa.Shesawhimthen,kneelingbehindhisinsufficientshelter,atrappedmanmakinghislaststand.

Fromwhereshestoodthegirldistinguishedhimveryclearly,andunderthefield-glassesthatsheturnedonhimthedetailsleapedtolife.Tall,strong,slender,withthelean,cleanbuildofagreyhound,heseemedaswaryandalertasapanther.Thebroad,softhat,thescarlethandkerchieflooselyknottedabouthisthroat,thegrayshirt,spursandoveralls,proclaimedhimastockman,justashisdeadhorseattheentrancetothecouleetoldofanaccidentalmeetinginthedesertandahurriedrunforcover.

Thathehadnochancewasquiteplain,butnoplainerthanthecool

vigilancewithwhichheproposedtomakethempay.Eveninthematterofdefensehewasworseoffthantheywere,butheknewhowtomakethemostofwhathehad;knewhowtoavailhimselfofeveryinchofsagebrushthathelpedtorenderhimindistincttotheireyes.

Oneoftheattackers,eagerforaclearershot,exposedhimselfatrifletoofarintakingaim.Withoutanylossoftimeinsighting,swiftasalightning-flash,theriflebehindtheforkedpinespoke.Thatthebulletreacheditsmarkshesawwithagaspofdismay.Forthemansuddenlyhuddleddownandrolledoveronhisside.

Hiscomradesappearedtotakewarningbythisexample.Themenatbothendsofthecrescentfellback,andforaminutethegirl'sheartleaped

withthehopethattheywereabouttoabandonthesiege.Apparentlythemaninthescarletkerchiefhadnosuchexpectation.Hedesertedhispositionbehindthepineandranback,crouchinglowinthebrush,toanotherlittleclumpoftreesclosertothebluff.Thereasonforthiswasatfirstnotapparenttoher,butsheunderstoodpresentlywhenthemenwhohadfallenbackbehindtherollinghillocksappearedagainwellintotheedgeofthebluff.Onlybyhistimelyretreathadthemansavedhimselffrombeingoutflanked.

Itwasveryplainthattheattackersmeanttotaketheirtimetofinishhiminperfectsafety.Hewassurroundedoneverysidebyacordonofrifles,exceptwherethebarefaceofthebuttehungdownbehindhim.Toattempttoscaleitwouldhavebeentoexposehimselfasamarkfor

everyguntocertaindeath.

Itwasnowthatsheheardthemanwhoseemedtobedirectingtheattackcallouttoanotheronhisright.Shewastoofartomakeoutthewords,buttheireffectwascleartoher.Hepointedtothebrowofthebutteabove,andapuncherinwhitewoolenchapsdroppedbackoutofrangeandswungtothesaddleupononeoftheponiesbunchedintherear.Hecanteredroundinawidecircleandmadeforthebutte.Hispurposewasobviouslytocatchtheirvictimintheunprotectedrear,andfiredownuponhimfromabove.


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Theyoungwomanshoutedawarning,buthervoicefailedtocarry.Foramomentshestoodwithherhandspressedtogetherindespair,thenturnedandswiftlyscuddedtohermachine.Shesprangin,sweptforward,reachedtherimofthemesa,andplungeddown.Neverbeforehadsheattemptedsoprecariousadescentinsuchwildhaste.Thecarfairlyleapedintospace,andafteritstruckswayeddizzilyasitshotdown.Thegirlhungon,herfacewhiteandset,thepulseinhertemplebeatingwildly.Shecoulddonothing,asthemachinerockeddown,buthopeagainstmanychancesthatinstantdestructionmightbeaverted.

Utterlybeyondhercontrol,themotor-carthundereddown,reachedthefootofthebutte,andsweptoveralittlehillinitswildflight.Sherushedbyamountedhorsemaninthethousandthpartofasecond.Shewasstillspeedingatatremendousvelocity,butasecondhillreducedthissomewhat.Shehadnotyetrecoveredcontrolofthemachine,but,thoughhereyesinstinctivelyfollowedthewhiteroadthatflashedpast,sheagainhadphotographedonherbrainthesceneoftheturbidtragedyinwhichshewasintervening.

Atthefootofthebuttetheroadcircledanddippedintothecoulee.Shebracedherselffortheshock,but,thoughthewheelsskiddedtillherheartwasinherthroat,theautomobile,hangingonthebalanceofdisaster,sweptroundinsafety.

Herhornscreamedaninstantwarningtothetrappedman.Shecouldnotseehim,andforaninstantherheartsankwiththefearthattheyhadkilledhim.Butshesawthenthattheywerestillfiring,andshecontinuedherhonkinginvitationasthecarleapedforwardintothezoneofspittingbullets.

Bythistimeshewasrecoveringcontrolofthemotor,andshedarednotletherattentionwander,butoutofthecornerofhereyesheappreciatedthesituation.Temporarily,outofsheeramazeatthisapparitionfromtheblue,thegunsceasedtheirsniping.Shebecameawarethatalightcurlyhead,crouchedlowinthesage-brush,wasmovingrapidlytomeetheratrightangles,andindoingsowas

approachingdirectlythelineoffire.Shecouldseehimdodgingtoandfroashemovedforward,fortherifleswereagainbarking.

Shewaswithintwohundredyardsofhim,stillgoingrapidly,butnotwiththesameheadlongrushasbefore,whenthecurlyheaddisappearedinthesage-brush.Itwasupagainpresently,butshecouldseethatthemancamelimping,andsouncertainlythattwicehepitchedforwardtotheground.Incautiouslyoneofhisassailantsranforwardwithashoutthesecondtimehisheadwentdown.Crack!Theunerringriflerangout,andtheimpetuousonedroppedinhistracks.

Assheapproached,theyoungwomanslowedwithoutstopping,andasthecarsweptpastCurlyHeadflunghimselfinheadlong.Hepickedhimself

upfromherfeet,creptpasthertotheseatbeyond,andalmostinstantlywhippedhisrifletohisshoulderinpromptdefianceofthefirethatwasnowconvergedonthem.

Yetinafewmomentsthesounddiedaway,foravoicemidwayinthecrescenthadshoutedanamazeddiscovery:

"ByGod,it'sawoman!"

Thecarskimmedforwardovertheunevengroundtowardtheendofthe


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semicircle,andpassedwithinfiftyyardsofthesecondmanfromtheend,theoneshehadpickedoutastheleaderoftheparty.Hewasablack,swarthyfellowinplainleatherchapsandblueshirt.Astheypassedhetookalong,steadyaim.

"Duck!"shoutedthemanbesideher,anddraggedherdownontheseatsothathisbodycoveredhers.

Apuffofwindfannedthegirl'scheek.

"Nearthing,"hercompanionsaidcoolly.Helookedbackattheswarthymanandlaughedsoftly."Somedayyou'llmebbewishyouhadsentyourpillsstraighter,Mr.JuddMorgan."

Yetafewwheel-turnsandtheyhaddippedforwardoutofrangeamongthegreatlandwavesthatseemedtostretchbeforethemforever.Theunexpectedhadhappened,andshehadachievedarescueinthefaceoftheimpossible.

"Hurtbadly?"thegirlinquiredbriefly,herdark-blueeyesmeetinghisasfranklyasthoseofaboy.

"Noneedforanundertaker.IreckonI'llsurvive,ma'am."

"Whereareyouhit?"

"Ijustgotatelegramfrommyanklesayingtherewasacargoofleadarrivedthereunexpected,"hedrawledeasily.

"Hurtsagooddeal,doesn'tit?"

"Nomorethanisneedfultokeepmymemoryjoggedup.It'sasortofaforget-me-notsouvenir.Foragoodboy;complimentsofMr.JimHenson,"heexplained.

Herdarkglanceswepthimsearchingly.Shedisapprovedtheassuranceofhismannerevenwhiletheyouthinherapplaudedhisreckless

sufficiency.Hisgaycourageheldherunconsentingadmirationevenwhilesheresentedit.Hewasatrifletoomuchathiseaseforonewhohadjustbeensnatchedfromdireperil.Yeteveninhisinsouciancetherewassomethingengaging;somethingalmostofdistinction.

"Whatwasthetrouble?"

Mirthbubbledinhisgrayeyes."Igathered,ma'am,thattheywantedtocollectmyscalp."

"Dowhat?"shefrowned.

"Bumpmeoff--sendmeacrossthedivide."

"Oh,Iknowthat.Butwhy?"

Heseemedtoreproachhimself."NowhowcouldIbesoneglectful?Icleanforgottoask."

"That'sridiculous,"washersharpverdict.

"Yes,ma'am,plumbridiculous.MyonlyexcuseisthattheybeganscatteringleadsosuddenIdidn'thavetimetoaskmany'Whyfors.'I


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reckonwe'lljusthavetocallitaWyomingdifferenceofopinion,"heconcludedpleasantly.

"Whichmeans,Isuppose,thatyouarenotgoingtotellme."

"Igotsomuchelsetotelly'uthat'saheapmoreimportant,"helaughed."Y'usee,I'menjoyin'myfirstautomobileride.Itwascertainlythoughtfulofy'utoaskmetogoridingwithy'u,MissMessiter."

"Soyouknowmyname.MayIaskhow?"washerastonishedquestion.

Hegavethelowlaughthatalwaysseemedtosuggestaprivatesourceofamusementofhisown."IsuspicionedthatmightbeyournamewhenIsayy'ucomea-sailin'downfromheaventogathermeuplikeEnoch."

"Why?"

"Well,ma'am,IhappenedtodriftintoGimletButtetwoorthreedaysago,andwhileIwasupatthedepotlookingforsomefreightatrainsashaidinandsidetrackedaflatcar.TherewasanautomobileonthatcaraddressedtoMissHelenMessiter.Now,automobilesareawfulseldominthiscountry.Idon'tseemtorememberhavingseenonebefore."

"Isee.You'requiteaSherlockHolmes.Doyouknowanythingmoreaboutme?"

"Iknowy'uhavejustfallenheirtotheLazyD.Theysayy'uareaschoolmarm,butIdon'tbelieveit."

"Well,Iam."Then,"Whydon'tyoubelieveit?"sheadded.

Hesurveyedherwithhissmileaudacious,lethisamusedeyeswanderdownfromthemobilefacewiththewild-rosebloomtotheslimyoungfiguresolongandsupple,thenserenelymetherfrown.

"Y'udon'tlookit."

"No?Areyoutheownerofacompositephotographoftheteachersofthecountry?"

Heenjoyedagainhisprivatemirth."Ishouldlikerightwelltohavethepicturesofsomeofthem."

Sheglancedathimsharply,buthewasgazingsoinnocentlyatthepurpleShoshonesinthedistancethatshecouldnotgivehimthesnubshethoughtheneeded.

"Youareright.MynameisHelenMessiter,"shesaid,bywayofstimulatingacounterfundofinformation.For,thoughshewasayoung

womannotmuchgiventocuriosity,shewasawareofaninterestinthisspare,broad-shoulderedyouthwhowassuchanincarnationofbronzedvigor.

"Gladtomeety'u,MissMessiter,"heresponded,andofferedhisfirmbrownhandinWesternfashion.

Butsheobservedresentfullythathedidnotmentionhisownname.Itwasimpossibletosupposethatheknewnobetter,andshewasdriventoconcludethathewassilentofsetpurpose.Verywell!Ifhedidnot


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wanttointroducehimselfshewasnotgoingtourgeituponhim.Inabusinesslikemannershegaveherattentiontoeatingupthedustymiles.

"Yes,ma'am.IreckonIneverwasmoregladtodeathtomeetaladythanIwastomeetupwithy'u,"hecontinued,cheerily."Y'usurelookedgoodtomeasy'ucomea-foggin'downtheroad.Ifairhadbeenyearnin'forcompanybutwassomediscouragedforfeartheinvitationhadmiscarried."Hebrokeoffhissardonicrailleryandlethislevelgazepossessherforalongmoment."MissMessiter,I'mcertainlyunderanobligationtoy'uIcan'trepay.Y'usavedmylife,"hefinishedgravely.

"Nonsense."

"Fact."

"Itisn'tapersonalmatteratall,"sheassuredhim,withatouchofimpatienthauteur.

"It'saheappersonaltome."

Inspiteofherhealthyyoungresentmentshelaughedatthewayinwhichhedrawledthisout,andwithaswiftsweepherboyisheyestookinagainhiscompellingdevil-may-carecharm.Shewasatenderfoot,but

intuitionaswellasexperiencetaughtherthathewasunusualenoughtobeoneoftenthousand.NoyoungGreekgod'sheadcouldhaverisenmoresuperblyabovethebrick-tannedcolumnoftheneckthanthisclose-croppedcurlyone.Grayeyes,deepandunwaveringandmasterful,lookedoutofafaceasbrownasWyoming.Hewasgotupwithnothoughtofeffect,butthetigerishlitheness,thepicturesquecompetencyofhim,spakelouderthancostuming.

"Aren'tyoureallyhurtworsethanyoupretend?I'msureyourankleoughttobeattendedtoassoonaspossible."

"Don'ttellmeyou'realadydoctor,ma'am,"heburlesquedhisalarm.

"Canyoutellmewherethenearestranchhouseis?"sheasked,ignoringhisdiversion.

"TheLazyDisthenearest,Ireckon."

"Whichdirection?"

"Northbyeast,ma'am."

"ThenI'lltakethemostdirectroadtoit.

"InthatcaseI'llthanky'uformyrideandgetouthere."

"But--why?"

Hewavedajauntyhandtowardtherecentbattlefield."TheLazyDliesrightbackofthathill.Iexpect,mebbe,thosewolvesmighthowlagainifwewentback."

"Where,then,shallItakeyou?"

"Ihatetotroubley'utogooutofyourway.


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"Idaresay,butI'mgoingjustthesame,"shetoldhim,dryly.

"Ifyou'rerightdetermined--"Heinterruptedhimselftopointtothesouth."Doy'useethatcamel-backpeakoverthere?"

"Theonewiththesunshineonitsloweredge?"

"That'sit,MissMessiter.TheycallthosetwohumpstheAntelopePeaks.Ify'ucandropmesomewherenearthereIthinkI'llmanageallright."

"I'mnotgoingtoleaveyoutillwereachahouse,"sheinformedhimpromptly."You'renotfittowalkfiftyyards."

"That'srightkindofy'u,butIcouldnotthinkofaskingsomuch.Myfriendswillfindmeify'uleavemewhereIcanworkaheliograph."

"Oryourenemies,"shecutin.

"Ihopenot.I'dnotlikelyhavethelucktogetanotherinvitationrightthentogoridingwithafriendlyyounglady."

Shegavehimdirect,cool,black-blueeyesthatmetandsearchedhis."I'mnotatallsuresheisfriendly.IshallwanttofindoutthecauseofthetroubleyouhavejusthadbeforeImakeupmymindastothat."

"Ijudgepeoplebytheiractions.Y'udidn'twaittofindoutbeforebringingtheambulanceintoaction,"helaughed.

"Iseeyoudonotmeantotellme."

"You'requitealawyer,ma'am,"heevaded.

"Ifindyouaveryslipperywitness,then."

"Askanythingy'ulikeandI'lltellyou."

"Verywell.Whowerethosemen,andwhyweretheytryingtokillyou?"

"TheyturnedtheirwolflooseonmebecauseIshotuponeofthemyesterday."

"Dearme!Isityourbusinesstogoaroundshootingpeople?That'sthreeIhappentoknowthatyouhaveshot.Howmanymore?"

"Nomore,ma'am--notrecently."

"Well,threeisquiteenough--recently,"shemimicked."Youseemtomeagooddealofadesperado."

"Yes,ma'am."

"Don'tsay'Yes,ma'am,'likethat,asifitdidn'tmatterintheleastwhetheryouareornot,"sheordered.

"No,ma'am."

"Oh!"Shebrokeoffwithagestureofimpatienceathisburlesqueofobedience."YouknowwhatImean--thatyououghttodenyit;oughttobefuriousatmeforsuggestingit."


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"OughtI?"

"Ofcourseyouought."

"There'saheapofwaysIain'tuptospecifications,"headmitted,cheerfully.

"Andwhoarethey--thementhatwereattackingyou?"

Therewasagleamofirrepressiblehumorintheboldeyes."Yourcow-punchers,ma'am."

"Mycow-punchers?"

"Theyce'tainlybelongtotheLazyDoutfit."

"Andyousaythatyoushotoneofmymenyesterday?"Hecouldseehergettingreadyforadeclarationofwar.

"DownbyWillowCreek--Yes,ma'am,"heanswered,comfortably.

"Andwhy,mayIask?"sheflamed

"That'salongstory,MissMessiter.Itwouldn'tbesquareformetoget

myversioninbeforeyourboys.Y'uaskthem."Hepermittedhimselfagenialsmile,somewhatironic."Ishouldn'twonderbutwhatthey'llgivemeagiltedgedtestimonialasanunhangedhorsethief."

"Isn'ttheresuchathingaslawinWyoming?"thegirldemanded.

"Lotsofit.Y'ucanbuyjustasgoodlawrighthereasinKalamazoo."

"IwishIknewwheretofindit."

"Liketoputmeinthecalaboose?"

"Inthepenitentiary.Yes,sir!"Amomentlaterthequestionthatwasin

herthoughtsleapedhotlyfromherlips."Whoareyou,sir,thatdaretocommitmurderandboastofit?"

Shehadflickedhimontherawatlast.Somethingthatwasneartopainrestedforasecondinhiseyes."Murderisahardname,ma'am.AndIdidn'tsayhewasdaid,oranyofthethree,"camehisgentleanswer.

"YouMEANTtokillthem,anyhow."

"DidI?"Therewastheghostofasadsmileabouthiseyes.

"Thewayyouact,apersonmightthinkyouoneofNedBannister'smen,"shetoldhim,scornfully.

"Iexpectyou'reright."

Sherepentedheralittleatachargesounjust."Ifyouarenotashamedofyournamewhyareyousoloathtopartwithit?"

"Y'udidn'taskmemyname,"hesaid,adarkflushsweepinghisface.

"Iaskitnow."


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Likethelightfromasnuffedcandletheboyishrecklessnesshadgoneoutofhisface.Hisjawsweresetlikeaviseandhelookedhardashammeredsteel.

"MynameisBannister,"hesaid,coldly.

"NedBannister,theoutlaw,"sheletslip,andwasawareofastrangesinkingoftheheart.

Itseemedtoherthatsomethingsinistercametothesurfaceinhishandsomeface."Ireckonwemightaswellletitgoatthat,"hereturned,withbitterbriefness.

CHAPTER2.THEKINGOFTHEBIGHORNCOUNTRY

TwomonthsbeforethistimeHelenMessiterhadbeenserenelyteachingasecondgradeatKalamazoo,Michigan,notwithstandingtheearnesteffortsofseveralyouthsofthatcitytoinducehertoretiretodomesticity"What'stheuseofbeingaschoolmarm?"hadbeentheburdenoftheirplaint."AnyspinstercanteachkidsC-A-T,Cat,butonlyoneinseveralthousandcanbetheprettiestbrideinKalamazoo."Noneofthem,however,hadbeenabletodrivethepointsufficientlyhome,andit

isprobablethatshewouldhavecontinuedtodevoteherselftoYoungAmericaifanuncleshehadneverseenhadnotdiedwithoutawillandleftheraranchinWyomingyclepttheLazyD.

WhenherlawyerproposedtoputtheranchonthemarketMissHelenhadawordtosay.

"Ithinknot.I'llgooutandseeitfirst,anyhow,"shesaid.

"Butreally,mydearyounglady,itisn'tatallnecessary.Factis,I'vealreadyhadanofferofahundredthousanddollarsforit.Now,Ishouldjudgethatafairprice."

"Verylikely,"hisclientinterrupted,quietly."But,yousee,Idon'tcaretosell."

"Thenwhatintheworldareyougoingtodowithit?"

"Runit."

"But,mydearMissMessiter,itisn'tanautomobileoranyotherkindoftoy.Youmustrememberthatittakesabusinessheadandagreatdealofexperiencetomakesuchaninvestmentpay.Ireallythink--"

"MyschoolendsonthefourteenthofJune.I'llgetasubstituteforthelasttwomonths.IshallstartforWyomingontheeighteenthofApril."

Themanoflawgasped,explainedthedifficultiesagaincarefullyastoachild,foundthathewaswastinghisbreath,andwiselygaveitup.

MissMessiterhadstartedontheeighteenthofApril,asshehadannounced.WhenshereachedGimletButte,thenearestrailroadpointtotheLazyD,shefoundagroupofcurious,weatherbeatenindividualsgatheredroundamachineforeigntotheirexperience.Itwasonaflatcar,andthegeneralopinionranthegamutfromanewfangledsewingmachinetoathresher.Intothisguessingcontestcameitsownerwith


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sobriskandbusinesslikeanenergythatinsideoftwohoursshewastestingitupanddownthewidestreetofGimletButte,tothewonderanddelightofanaudiencetowhicheachoneoftheelevensaloonsofthecityhadcontributeditsadmiringquota.

Meanwhiletheyoungwomanattendedstrictlytobusiness.ShehaddisappearedforhalfanhourwithasuitcaseintotheElkHouse;andwhenshereturnedinashort-skirtedcorduroysuit,leggingsandwide-brimmedgrayStetsonhat,allGimletButtetookanabsorbinginterestinthedetailsofthisdelightfuladventurethathadhappenedtothetown.Thepopulationwasoutenmassetowatchherslipdowntheroadonatrialtrip.

Presently"Soapy"Sothern,driftinginonhisbuckskinfromtheHoodooPeakcountry,whereforprivatereasonsofhisownhehadbeenforthepastmonthasojourner,reportedthathehadseentheprettiestsightintheStateclimbingunderagasolinebroncwithamonkey-wrenchinherhand.Where?Rightoverthehillontheedgeoftown.Theimmediatestampedeforthecowponieswasavertedbyawarningchug-chugthatsoundeddowntheroad,followedbytheappearanceofaflashingwhirthatmadetheponiesdanceontheirhindlegs.

"Thegasolinebroncladysuremakesahitwithme,"announced"Texas,"gravely."IallowI'llrustleajobwiththeLazyDoutfit."

"Shece'tainlyridesherdonthatmachinelikeachampeen,"admittedSoapy."IreckonI'lldriftovertotheLazyDwithyoutolookafteryoreremains,Tex,whenthelightninghitsyou."

MissMessiterswungtheautomobileroundinaswiftcircle,cametoanabrupthaltinfrontofthehotel,andalightedwithoutdelay.Asshepassedinthroughthehalfscoreofadmirersshehadwon,herdarkeyessweptsmilinglyoverassembledCattleland.Shehadalreadymetmostofthematthelaunchingofthemachinefromtheflatcar,andhaddirectedtheirperspiringenergiesastheylaboredtofollowherorders.Nowshenoddedarecognitionwithalittlerippleofgaylaughter.

"I'mdelightedtobeabletocontributetotheentertainmentofGimletButte,"shesaid,asshesweptin.ForthisyoungwomanwaspossessedofWesternadaptation.Itgavehernoconscientiousqualmstoexchangeconversationfraternalwiththesegenialsavages.

TheElkHousedidnotrejoiceinaprivatediningroom,andcompetitionstrenuousensuedastowhoshouldhavethepleasureofsittingbesidetheguestofhonor.Toavoidillfeeling,thematterwasdeterminedbyagameoffreeze-out,inwhichTexasandamaturegentlemannamed,fromhiscomplexion,"Beet"Collins,weretheluckyvictors.Texasimmediatelyrepairedtothegeneralstore,wherehepurchasedanewscarletbandannafortheoccasion;alsoacakeofsoapwithwhichtoroutthealkalidustthathadfilteredintoeveryporeofhishandsand

facefromalongrideacrossthedesert.

CamesupperandTexassimultaneously,thecow-puncher'sfacescrubbedtoanappleshine.AtthelastmomentCollinsdefaulted,hisnervecompletelygone.Since,however,hewasathriftysoul,hesoldhisplacetoSoapyfortendollars,andproceededtoinvesttheproceedsinanimmediatedrunk.

DuringthefirsttenminutesofsupperMissMessiterdidnotappear,andthetwoguardianswhoflankedherchairsolicitouslyweretheobjectof


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muchbadinage.

"ShegotoneglimpseofthatredhaidofTexandtheporelady'stooktothesage,"explainedYorky.

"AndhimscrubbedsoshinyfusttimesinceChristmasbeforethebigblizzard,"sighedDocRogers.

"Shucks!Sheain'tscaredofnosawed-off,hammered-downruntlikeTexas,No,siree!MissMessiter'sontheabsentlist'causeshe'safraidshecayn'tresisttheblandishmentsofSoapy.Didyo'everhearaboutSoapyandthatCasparhashslinger?"

"Forgetit,Slim,"advisedSoapy,promptly.HehadbeenengagedinloftyandobliviousconversationwithTexas,buthedidnotintendtoallowreminiscencestogetunderwayjustnow.

Atthisopportunejuncturearrivedthemistressofthe"gasolinebronc,"neatlycladinasimplewhitelawnwithbluetrimmings.Shelookedlikeagleamofsunshineinherfresh,sweetyouth;andnoteveninherownschoolroomhadsheeverfoundherselfthefocusofacleaner,moreunstintedadmiration.FortheoutdoorsWesttakesoffitshatreverentlytowomenworthyofrespect,especiallywhentheyareyoungandfriendly.

HelenMessiterhadcometoWyomingbecausethecallofadventure,thedesireforexperienceoutsideofruttedconvention,werestirringherwarm-bloodedyouth.Shehadseenenoughoflifelivedinaparlor,andwhentherecameknockingatherdoorachancetoknowthebig,untamedoutdoorsatfirsthandshehadatonceembraceditlikealover.Shewaseagerforhernewlife,andshesetoutskillfullytomakethesementellherwhatshewantedtoknow.Tothem,ofcourse,itwasanoldstory,andwhateverofromanceitheldwasunconscious.ButsinceshewantedtotalkoftheWesttheyweremorethanreadytopleaseher.

Soshelistened,anddrewthemoutwithadroitquestionswhenitwasnecessary.Shemadethemtalkoflifeontheopenrange,ofrustlersandthosewholivedoutsidethelawintheupperShoshonecountry,ofthe

deadlywarwagingbetweenthecattleandsheepindustries.

"ArethereanysheepneartheLazyDranch?"sheasked,intenselyinterestedinSoapy'staleofhowcattleandsheepcouldnomorebegottomixthanoilandwater.

Foraninstantnobodyansweredherquestion;thenSoapyreplied,withwhatseemedelaboratecarelessness:

"NedBannisterrunsabunchofabouttwelvethousandnotmore'nfifteenortwentymilesfromyourplace."

"Andyousaytheyarespoilingtherange?"

"They'rece'tainlyspoilingitforcows."

"Butcan'tsomethingbedone?IfmycowsweretherefirstIdon'tseewhatrighthehastobringhissheepthere,"thegirlfrowned.

Theassembledcompanyattendedstrictlytosupper.Thegirl,surprisedatthestillness,lookedround."Well?"

"Nowyou'reshouting,ma'am!That'swhatwesay,"enthusedTexas,


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spurringtotherescue.

"Itdoesn'tmuchmatterwhatyousay.Whatdoyoudo?"askedHelen,impatiently."DoyouliedownandletMr.Bannisterandhiskinddrivetheirsheepoveryou?"

"Dowe,Soapy?"grinnedTexas.Yetitseemedtoherhissmilewasnotquitecarefree.

"I'mnotacowmanmyself,"explainedSoapytothegirl."NordoIrunsheep.I--"

"TellMissMessiterwhatyorebusinessis,Soapy,"advisedYorkyfromtheendofthetable,withamouthfulofbiscuitswellinghischeeks.

SoapycrushedtheirrepressibleYorkywithalook,butthatyoungmanhitbacksmilingly.

"Soapy,hesellssoap,ma'am.He'sasortercitysalesman,Ireckon."

"Ishouldneverhaveguessedit.Mr.SotherndoesnotLOOKlikeasalesman,"saidthegirl,withaglanceathisshrewd,hard,expressionlessface.

"Yes,ma'am,he'safirst-classsellerofsoap,isMr.Sothern,"chuckledthecow-puncher,kickinghisfriendsgaylyunderthetable.

"YoucanseeIneversoldHIMany,MissMessiter,"camebackSoapy,sorrowfully.

AllthiswasGreektotheyoungladyfromKalamazoo.HowwasshetoknowthatMr.Sothernhadvendedhissoapinsmallcubesonstreetcorners,andthathewrappedbanknotesofvariousdenominationsinthebars,whichsamewereretailedtoeagercustomersforthesmallsumoffiftycents,afteraguaranteethatthesoapwasgood?Hiscustomersrarelypatronizedhimtwice;andfrequentlytheyusedbadlanguagebecausethesoapwrappingwasnotasvaluableastheyhadexpected.Thiswas

manifestlyunfair,forMr.Sothern,whomadenoclaimstophilanthropy,oftenwarnedthemthatthesoapshouldbeboughtonitsmerits,andnotwithaneyesingletothepremiumthatmightormightnotaccompanythepackage.

"Istartedtotellyou,ma'am,whenthatinfantinterrupted,thatthecowmendon'taimtoquitbusinessyetawhile.They'vedrawnadead-line,MissMessiter."

"Adead-line?"

"Yes,ma'am,beyondwhichnosheepherderistorunhisbunch."

"Andifhedoes?"thegirlasked,openeyed.

"Hedon'tdoittwict,ma'am.Whydon'tyoupassthefritterstoMissMessiter,Slim?"

"AndaboutthisBannisterWhoishe?"

Herinnocentquestionseemedtoringabellforsilence;seemedtocarrywithitsomehiddenportentthatstoppedidleconversationasastrikingclockthatmarksthehourofanexecution.


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Thesmilethathadbeengaygrewgrim,andmenforgotthesubjectoftheirlight,casualtalk.ItwasSothernthatansweredher,andsheobservedthathisvoicewasgrave,hisfacestudiouslywithoutexpression.

"Mr.Bannister,ma'am,isasheepman."

"SoIunderstood,but--"Hereyestraveledswiftlyroundthetable,andappraisedthesuddensenseofresponsibilitythathadfallenonthesereckless,carelessfrontiersmen."Iamwonderingwhatelseheis.Really,heseemstobethebogeymanofGimletButte."

Therewasanotherinstantsilence,andagainitwasSoapythatliftedit."Iexpaictyou'lllikeWyoming,MissMessiter;leastwaysIhopeyouwill.There'sarightsmartofcountryhere."Hisgazewentoutoftheopendoortothevastseaofspacethatswaminthefinesunsetlight."Yes,mostfolksthatain'tplumbspoiltwithcitywayslikesit."

"Sureshe'lllikeit.Y'uwanttogetagood,easy-ridinghawss,MissMessiter,"advisedSlim.

"Andarifle,"addedTexas,promptly.

Itoccurredtoherthattheywereallworkingtogethertodrifttheconversationbacktoasafetopic.Shefollowedtheleadgivenher,butshemadeuphermindtoknowwhatitwasaboutherneighbor,Mr.Bannister,thesheepherder,thatneededtobehandledwithsuchwarinessandcircumspectionofspeech.

Herchancecamehalfanhourlater,whenshestoodtalkingtothelandladyonthehotelporchinthemellowtwilightthatseemedtorestonthelandlikeamoonlitaura.Forthemomenttheywerealone.

"WhatisitaboutthismanBannisterthatmakesmenafraidtospeakofhim?"shedemanded,withswiftimpulse.

Herlandlady'sstartledeyeswentalertlyroundtoseethattheywerealone."Hush,child!Youmustn'tspeakofhimlikethat,"warnedtheolderwoman.

"Whymustn'tI?That'swhatIwanttoknow."

"Isisn'thealthy."

"Whatdoyoumean?"

Againthatanxiouslookflashedroundinthedusk."TheBannisteroutfitistheworstintheland.NedBannisteriskingofthewholeBigHorncountryandbeyondthattotheTetons."

"Andyoumeantotellmethateverybodyisafraidofhim--thatmenlikeMr.Sotherndarenotsaytheirsoulistheirown?"thenewcomerasked,contemptuously.

"Notsoloud,child.HehasspieseverywhereThat'sthetrouble.Youdon'tknowwhoisinwithhim.He'sgotthewholeregionterrified."

"Ishesobad?"


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"Heisadevil.LastyearheandhishellriderssweptdownonTopazandkilledtwobartendersjusttoseethemkick,NedBannistersaid.Folksallowtheyknewtoomuch."

"Butthelaw--theGovernment?Haven'tyouasheriffandofficers?"

"Bannisterhas.Heelectsthesheriffinthiscounty."

"Aren'ttheremorehonestpeopleherethanvillains?"

"Tentimesasmany,butthetroubleisthatthehonestfolkscan'ttrusteachother.Yousee,ifoneofthemmadeamistakeandconfidedinthewrongman--well,somefinedayhewouldgoridingherdandwouldnotturnupatnight.Nextweek,ornextmonth,maybe,oneofhispartnersmightfindapileofbonesinanarroyo.

"HaveyoueverseenthisBannister?"

"YouMUSTspeaklowerwhenyoutalkofhim,MissMessiter,"thewomaninsisted."Yes,Isawhimonce;atleastIthinkIdid.Mightyfewfolksknowforsurethattheyhaveseenhim.Heisamystery,andhetravelsundermanynamesanddisguises."

"Whenwasityouthinkyousawhim?"

"TwoyearsagoatAyr.Thebankwaslootedthatnightandrobbedofthirtythousanddollars.Theyrousedthecashierfromhisbedandmadehimgivethecombination.Hedidn'twantto,andNedBannister"--hervoicesanktoatremulouswhisper--"putred-hotrunning-ironsbetweenhisfingerstillheweakened.Itwasamoonlightnight--muchsuchanightasthis--andafteritwasdoneIpeepedthroughtheblindofmyroomandsawthemrideaway.Herodeinfrontofthemandsanglikeanangel--diditoutofdaredeviltrytomockthepeopleofthetownthathadn'tnerveenoughtoshoothim.Yousee,heknewthatnobodywoulddarehurthim'countoftherevengeofhismen."

"Whatwashelike?"themistressoftheLazyDasked,strangelyawedat

thisrecitaloftranscendentvillainy.

"'Coursehewasmasked,andIdidn'tseehisface.ButI'dknowhimanywhere.He'salong,slimfellow,builtlikeamountainlion.Youcouldn'tlookathimandeverforgethim.He'soneofthesegraceful,easymenthatgosofurwithfoolwomen;oneofthekindthathalfshutshisdark,devileyesandmastersthemwithoutseemingtotry."

"Sohe'sawomankiller,too,ishe?AnymoreoutstandinginconsistenciesinthisversatileJesseJames?"

"He'splumbcrazyaboutmusic,theysay.HasapianoandplaysGriggandChopping,andallthatclassicalkindofmusic.Hewentcleardownto

DenverlastyeartohearMrs.Shoemansing."

Helensmiled,guessingatSchumann-Heinkasthesingerinquestion,andGriegandChopinasthecomposersnamed.Herinterestwasincrediblyaroused.ShehadexpectedtheWestanditsproductstoexhilarateher,butshehadnotlookedtofindsofinishedaMephistoamongitsvaunted"badmen."Hewasprobablyoverrated;consideredawonderbecausehisaccomplishmentsoutsteppedthoseoftherange.ButHelenMessiterhadquitedeterminedononething.Shewasgoingtomeetthisredoubtablevillainandmakeuphermindforherself.Already,beforeshehadbeen


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inWyomingsixhours,thisemancipatedyoungwomanhaddecidedonthat.

CHAPTER3.ANINVITATIONGIVENANDACCEPTED

Andalreadyshehadmethim.Notonlymethim,butsavedhimfromthejustvengeanceabouttofalluponhim.Shehadnotyetseenherownranch,hadnotspokentoasingleoneofheremployees,forithadbeenapartofherplantodropinunexpectedandexaminethesituationbeforeherforemanhadachancetoputhisbestfootforward.SoshehadstartedalonefromGimletButtethatmorninginhermachine,andhadcomealmostinsightoftheLazyDranchhouseswhenthebattleinthecouleeinvitedhertotakeahand.

Shehadactedongenerousimpulse,andtheunforeseenresulthadbeentosavethisdesperadofromjustice.Buttheworstofitwasthatshecouldnotfinditinherhearttoregretit.Grantedthathewasavillain,double-dyedandbeyondhope,yethewasthehomeofsuchcourage,suchvirility,thatherunconsentingadmirationwentoutinspiteofherself.Hewas,atanyrate,aMAN,square-jawed,resolute,implacable.Inthesinuoustrailofhislifemightliearson,robbery,murder,buthestillheldtothatdynamicsparkofself-respectthatisakintothedivine.Norwasitpossibletobelievethatthoseunblinkinggrayeyes,with

thecapabilityofalatentsadnessofdespairinthem,expressedasoulentirelywithoutnobility.Hehadacertaingallantease,acertainattractivecandor,thatdidnotconsistwithvillainyunadulterated.

ItwascharacteristicevenofherimpulsivenessthatHelenMessitercurbedtheswiftcondemnationthatleapedtoherlipswhensheknewthatthemansittingbesideherwasthenotoriousbanditoftheShoshonefastnesses.Shewasnotintheleastafraid.Asureinstincttoldherhewasnotthekindofamanofwhomawomanneedhavefearsolongasherownanchorheldfast.Ingoodtimeshemeanttolethimhaveherunvarnishedopinionofhim,butshedidnotmeanittobeanunconsideredone.Whereforeshedrovethemachineforwardtowardthecamelbackedpeakhehadindicated,hereyesstraightbeforeher,afrown

corrugatingherforehead.

Forhim,havingmadehisdramaticannouncement,heseemedcontentforthepresentwithsilence.Heleanedbackinthecarandappreciatedherwithacoolnessthatjustmissedimpudence.Certainlyherappearanceproclaimedherverymuchworthwhile.Todwellonthelonglinesofhersuppleyoungbody,theexquisitethroatandchincurve,wasapleasurewithathrilltoit.Asaphysicalcreation,amereinnocentyounganimal,hethoughtherperfect;attunedtoafineharmonyofgraceandcolor.Butitwastheanimatingvitalityofher,thelightnessofmotion,thefireandsparkleofexpressionthatgaveherthecaptivatingcharmshepossessed.

Theyweretwomilesnearerthecamel-backedpeakbeforehebrokethesilence.

"Beatsabroncoforgettingovertheground.ThinkI'llhavetogetone,"hemusedaloud.

"WiththemoneyyoutookfromtheAyrbank?"sheflashed.

"Imightdriveoffsomeofyourcowsandsellthem,"hecountered,promptly."Abouthowmuchwilltheyholdmeupforamachinelikethis?"


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"Thisisonlyarunabout.Youcangetonefortwelveorfourteenhundreddollarsofanybody'smoney."

"Ofyours?"helaughed.

"Ihaven'tthatmuchwithme.Ifyou'llcomeoverandholduptheranchperhapswemightraiseitamongus,"shejeered.

Hismirthwasgenuine."ButrightnowIcouldn'tgetmorethanhowmuchoffy'u?"

"Sixty-threedollarsisallIhavewithme,andIcouldn'tgiveyoumore--NOTEVENIFYOUPUTREDHOTIRONSBETWEENMYFINGERS."Shegaveittohimstraight,herblueeyesfixedsteadilyonhim.

Yetshewasnotpreparedfortheeffectofherwords.Thelastthingshehadexpectedwastoseethebloodwashoutofhisbronzedface,toseehissensitivenostrilstwitchwithpain.Hemadeherfeelasifshehadinsultedhim,asifshehadbeenneedlesslycruel.Andbecauseofitshehardenedherheart.Whyshouldshesparehimthementionofit?Hehadnothesitatedattheshamelessdeeditself.Whyshouldsheshrinkbeforethatwoundedlookthatleapedtohisfineeyesinthatflashoftimebeforehehardenedthemtosteel?

"Youdidit--didn'tyou?"shedemanded.

"That'swhattheysay."Hisgazemetherdefiantly.

"Anditistrue,isn'tit?"

"Oh,anythingistrueofamanthatherdssheep,"hereturned,bitterly.

"IfthatistrueitwouldnotbepossibleforyoutounderstandhowmuchIdespiseyou."

"Thankyou,"heretorted,ironically.

"Idon'tunderstandatall.Idon'tseehowyoucanbethemantheysayyouare.BeforeImetyouitwaseasytounderstand.Butsomehow--Idon'tknow--youdon'tLOOKlikeavillain."Shefoundherselfstrangelyvoicingthedeephopeofherheart.Itwassurelyimpossibletolookathimandbelievehimguiltyofthethingsofwhich,hewasaccused.Andyetheofferednodenial,suggestednodefense.

Hertroubledeyeswentoverhisthin,sunbakedfacewithitstouch,ofbitterness,andshedidnotfinditpossibletodismissthesubjectwithoutgivinghimachancetosethimselfright.

"Youcan'tbeasbadastheysay.Youarenot,areyou?"sheasked,

naively.

"Whatdoy'uthink?"heresponded,coolly.

Sheflushedangrilyatwhatsheacceptedashisinsolence."Amanofanydecencywouldhavejumpedatthechancetoexplain."

"Butifthereisnothingtoexplain?"

"Youarethenguilty."


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Theireyesmet,andneitherofthemquailed.

"IfIpleadednotguiltywouldy'ubelieveme?"

Shehesitated."Idon'tknow.HowcouldIwhenitisknownbyeverybody?Andyet--"

Hesmiled."WhyshouldItroubley'u,then,withexplanations?Ireckonwe'llletitgoatguilty."

"Isthatallyoucansayforyourself?"

Heseemedtohangindoubtaninstant,thenshookhisheadandrefusedtheopening.

"IexpectifwechangedthesubjectIcouldsayagooddealfory'u,"hedrawled."Ineversawanythingpluckierthanthewayy'uflewdownfromthemesaandconductedthecutting-outexpedition.Y'usuredrilledthroughyourpuncherslikeastreakoflightning."

"Ididn'tknowwhoyouwere,"sheexplained,proudly.

"Wouldithavemadeanydifferenceify'uhad?"

Againtheangryflushtouchedhercheeks."Notabit.Iwouldhavesavedyouinordertohaveyouproperlyhangedlater,"shecutbackpromptly.

Heshookhisheadgayly."I'mce'tainlygoingtodisappointy'usome.Yourenterprisingpunchersmaycollectmeyet,butnotalive,Ireckon."

"I'llgivethemstrictorderstobringyouinalive."

"Didyoueverwantthemoonwheny'uwasalittlekid?"heasked.

"We'llsee,Mr.OutlawBannister."

Helaughedsoftly,inthequiet,indolentfashionthatwouldhavebeenpleasantifithadnotbeenather."It'srightkindofyoutotakesomuchinterestinme.I'dmostbewillingtoobligebylettingyourboysropemetorenewthisacquaintance,ma'am."Then,"IgetouthereMissMessiter,"headded.

Shestoppedontheinstant.Plainlyshecouldnotgetridofhimtoosoon."Haven'tyouforgotonething?"sheasked,ironically.

"Yes,ma'am.Tothankyouproperforwhaty'udidforme."Helimpedgingerlydownfromthecarandstoodwithhishandononeofthetires."Ihavebeentryingtothinkhowtosayitright;butIguessI'llhavetogiveitup.AllisthatifIevergetachancetoeventhescore--"

Shewavedhisthanksasideimpatiently"Ididn'tmeanthat.Youhaveforgottentotakemypurse."

Hisgravitywasbrokenontheinstant,andhislaughterwascertainlydelightfullyfresh."Icleanforgot,butIexpectI'lldropovertotheranchforitsomeday."

"We'lltrytomaketomakeyouwelcome,Mr.Bannister."


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"Don'tputyourselfoutatall.I'lltakepot-luckwhenIcome."

"Howmanyofyoumayweexpect?"sheasked,defiantly.

"Oh,Iallowtocomealone."

"You'llverylikelyforget."

"No,ma'am,Idon'tknowsomanyladiesthatI'mliabletosuchanoversight.

"Ihaveheardadifferentstory.Butifyoudoremembertocome,andwillletusknowwhenyouexpecttohonortheLazyD,I'llhavemessengerssenttomeetyou."

Heperfectlyunderstoodhertomeanleadenones,andthehumorousgleaminhiseyesparkledinappreciationofherspirit."Idon'twantallthatfussmadeoverme.IreckonI'lldropinunexpected,"hesaid.

Shenoddedcurtly."Good-bye.Hopeyouranklewon'ttroubleyouverymuch."

"Thanky'u,ma'am.Ireckonitwon't.Good-bye,MissMessiter."

OutofthetailofhereyeshesawhimbowinglikeanItalianoperasinger,asimpudentlyinsouciant,asgracefullygracelessasanystagevillaininhermemory.Onceagainshesawhim,whenhermachinesweptroundacurveandshecouldlookbackwithoutseemingtodoso,limpingacrossthroughthesagebrushtowardalittlehillockneartheroad.Andasshelookedthebare,curlyheadwasinclinedtowardherinanotherlow,mockingbow.Hewascertainlythegallantestvagabondunhanged.

CHAPTER4.ATTHELAZYDRANCH

HelenMessiterwasayoungwomanverymuchalive,whichimpliesthatshe

wasgiventoemotions;andashermachineskimmedoverthegroundtotheLazyDshehadthemtospare.Forfromthefirstthisyoungmanhadtakenhereye,andithadcomeuponherwithadistinctshockthathewasthenotoriousscoundrelwhowasterrorizingthecountryside.Shetoldherselfalmostpassionatelythatshewouldneverhavebelieveditifhehadnotsaidsohimself.Sheknewquitewellthatthecoldnessthathadclutchedherheartwhenhegavehisnamehadhadnothingtodowithfear.Therehadbeenchagrin,disappointment,butnothingintheleastliketheterrorshemighthaveexpected.Thesimpletruthwasthathehadseemedsomuchamanthatithadhurthertofindhimalsoawildbeast.

Deepinherheartsheresentedtheconvictionforceduponher.Reckless

heundoubtedlywas,atoddswiththelawsurely,butitwashardtoadmitthatattractivepersonalitytobethemaskoffiendishcrueltyandsinistermalice.Andyet--thefactsspokeforthemselves.Hehadnotevenattemptedadenial.Stilltherewasamysteryabouthim,elsehowwasitpossiblefortwosodistinctpersonalitiestodwelltogetherinthesamebody.

Shehatedhimwithallherlustyyoungwill;notonlyforwhathewas,butalsoforwhatshehadbeendisappointedinnotfindinghimafterherfirstinstinctiveliking.Yetitwaswithanoddlittlethrillthat


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sherandownagainintothecouleewhereherprosaiclifehadfounditsfirstrealadventure.Hemightbealltheysaid,butnothingcouldwipeoutthefactsthatshehadofferedherlifetosavehis,andthathehadlentherhisbodyasalivingshieldforoneexhilaratingmomentofdanger.

Asshereachedthehillsummitbeyondthecoulee,HelenMessiterwasawarethatariderinungainlychapsofwhitewoolwasrapidlyapproaching.Hedippeddownintothenextdepressionwithoutseeingher;andwhentheycamefacetofaceatthetopoftherisetheresultwasinstantaneous.Hisponydidananimatedtwo-stepnotontheprogramme.Ittookoneglanceatthediabolicalmachine,andwentuponitshindlegs,preliminarytogivinganelaborateexhibitionofpitching.Theriderindulgedinvividprofanityandpliedhisquirtvigorously.Butthebronco,withthefearofthisunknownevilonitssoul,varieditsbuckingsoeffectivelythatthepuncherastrideitshurricanedeckwasforced,inthelanguageofhiskind,to"takethedust."

Hisredheadsailedthroughtheairandlandedinthewhitesandatthegirl'sfeet.Foramomenthesatintheroadandgazedwithchagrinafterthevanishingheelsofhismount.Thenhiswrathfuleyescameroundtotheownerofthemachinethathadcausedtheeruption.Hismouthhadopenedtogiveadequateexpressiontohisfeelings,whenhediscoveredanewtheforgottenfactthathewasdealingwithawoman.

Hisjawhungopenforaninstantinamaze;andwhenherememberedtheuneditedvocabularyhehadturnedlooseontheworldafloodofpurpleswepthistannedface.

Shewantedtolaugh,butwiselyrefrained."I'mverysorry,"waswhatshesaid.

Hestaredinsilenceasheslowlypickedhimselffromtheground.Hisredhairroselikethequillsofaporcupineaboveafacethathadtheappearanceofbeingunfinished.Neithernosenormouthnorchinseemedtobequitedefiniteenough.

Shechokeddownhergayetyandofferedrenewedapologies.

"Iwasgoingforadoc,"heexplained,bywayofopeninghisshareoftheconversation.

"ThenperhapsyouhadbetterjumpinwithmeandridebacktotheLazyD.Isupposethat'swhereyoucamefrom?"

Hescratchedhisvividheadhelplessly."Yes,ma'am."

"Thenjumpin."

"IwasgoingtoBearCreek,ma'am,"headdeddubiously.

"Howfarisit?"

"'Bouttwenty-fivemiles,andthensome."

"Youdon'texpecttowalk,doyou?"

"No;Iallowed--"

"I'lltakeyoubacktotheranch,whereyoucangetanotherhorse."


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"Ireckon,ma'am,I'drutherwalk."

"Nonsense!Why?"

"Iain'tusedtothemgaswagons."

"It'squitesafe.Thereisnothingtobeafraidof."

Reluctantlyhegotinbesideher,ashappyasacalfinabrandingpen.

"AreyoutheladythatsashaidoffwithNedBannister?"heaskedpresently,afterhehadhadtimetosmothersuccessivelysomeofhisfear,wonderanddelightattheirsmooth,swiftprogress.

"Yes.Why?"

"Theboysallowyouhadn'toughterhavedoneit."Then,toplacetheresponsibilityproperlyonshouldersbroaderthanhisown,headded:"That'swhatJuddsays."

"AndwhoisJudd?"

"Judd,he'stheforemanoftheLazyD."

Belowthemappearedthecorralsandhousesofaranchnestlinginalittlevalleyflankedbyhills.

"Thisyere'stheLazyD,"announcedtheyouth,withpride,andinthespiritoffriendlinesssuggestedacaution."Judd,he'ssomepeppery.Youwantersmoothhimdownsome,seeingashe'sriledupto-day."

Aflickerofsteelcameintotheblueeyes."Indeed!Well,hereweare."

"Ifitain'tReddy,ANDtheladywiththeflyingmachine,"murmuredafreckledyouthnamedMcWilliams,emergingfromthebunkhousewithapanofwaterwhichhadbeenusedtobathethewoundofoneofthepuncturedcombatants.

"What'sthat?"snappedavoicefromwithin;andimmediatelyitsownerappearedinthedoorwayandboredwithnarrowedblackeyestheyoungwomaninthemachine.

"Whoareyou?"hedemanded,brusquely.

"Yourtarget,"sheanswered,quietly."Wouldyouliketotakeanothershotatme?"

Thefreckledladbrokeoutintoagurgleoflaughter,atwhichtheblack,swarthymanbesidehimwheeledroundinarage."Whatyoucacklin'at,Mac?"hedemanded,inalowvoice.

"Oh,thethingsInotice,"returnedthatyouthjauntily,meetingtheother'sangerwithouttheflickerofaneyelid.

"Itain'thealthytobesonoticin',"insinuatedtheother.

"Y'udon'tsay,"cametheprompt,sarcasticretort."Ifyou'resuchadarnedgoodjudgeofhealth,y'ubetterbeattendingtosomeofyourpatients."Hejerkedacasualthumboverhisshouldertowardthebunksonwhichlaythewoundedmen.


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"Ishouldn'twonderbutwhattheremightbeanotherpatientformetoattendto,"snarledtheforeman.

"Thatso?Well,turnyourwolfloosewheny'ugettofeelin'realdevilish,"jeeredtheundismayedone,strollingforwardtoassistMissMessitertoalight.

ThemistressoftheLazyDhadbeenawareofthebyplay,butshehadcaughtneitherthewordsnortheirimport.Shetooktheofferedbrownhandsmilingly,forhereagainshelookedintothefrankeyesoftheWest,unafraidandsteady.Shejudgedhimnotmorethantwenty-two,buttheschoolwherehehadlearnedoflifehadheldopenandstrenuoussessioneverydaysincehecouldremember.

"Gladtomeety'u,ma'am,"heassuredher,inthecurrentphraseofthesemi-aridlands.

"I'msureIamgladtomeetYOU,"sheanswered,heartily."CanyoutellmewhereistheforemanoftheLazyD?"

Heintroducedwithasmiletheswarthymaninthedoorway."Thisishimma'am--Mr.JuddMorgan."

NowithappenedthatMr.JuddMorganwassimmeringwithsuppressedspleen.

"AllI'vegottosayisthatyouhadnobusinessmixingupinthatshootin'affairbackthere.Perhapsyoudon'tknowthatthemanyousavedisNedBannister,theoutlaw,"washissurlygreeting.

"Oh,yes,Iknowthat."

"Thenwhatd'yemean--Whoareyou,anyway?"Hisinsolenteyescoastedmalevolentlyoverher.

"HelenMessiterismyname."

Itwasludicroustoseethechangethatcameovertheman.Hehadbeenpreparedtobullyher;andwithawordshehadprickedthebubbleofhisarrogance.Heswallowedhisangerandgotamechanicalsmileinworkingorder.

"Gladtoseeyouhere,MissMessiter,"hesaid,hissinistergazeattemptingtomeethersfrankly"Ibeenlookingforyoueveryday."

"Buty'umanagedtosurprisehim,afterallma'am,"chuckledMac.

"Where'syo'hawss,Reddy?"inquiredatallyoungman,whohadappearedsilentlyinthedoorwayofthebunkhouse.

Reddypinkedviolently."Ihadanaccident,Denver,"heexplained."Thisladyyereshe--"

"Scoopedy'urightoffyorehawss.Y'udon'tsay,"sympathizedMacsobreathlesslythatevenReddyjoinedinthechorusoflaughterthatwentupathisexpense.

Theyoungwomanthoughttomakeiteasyforhim,andsuggestedanexplanation.


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"Hishorseisn'tusedtoautomobiles,andsowhenitmetthisone--"

"Igotoff,"interposedReddyhastily,displayingacomplexionlikeaboiledbeet.

"Hegotoff,"Macexplainedgravelytotheincreasingaudience.

Denvernoddedwithanimperturbableface."Hegotoff."

MacintroducedMissMessitertosuchofheremployeesaswereonhand."ShakehandswithMissMessiter,Missou,"wastheformula,thenamealonevaryingtosuittheembarrassedgentlemeninleathers.Eachoftheminturnpresentedahugehand,inwhichherlittleonedisappearedforthetime,andwassawedupanddownintheairlikeapump-handle.Yetifshewasamusedshedidnotshowit;andherpleasureatmeetingthesimple,elementalproductsoftheplainsoutweighedagreatdealhersenseoftheludicrous.

"Howareyourpatientsgettingalong?"shepresentlyaskedofherforeman.

"Ireckonallright.IsentReddyforadoc,but--"

"Hegotoff,"murmuredMacpensively.

"I'llgoropeanotherhawss,"putinthemanwhohadgotoff.

"Getajumponyou,then.MissMessiter,wouldyouliketolookovertheplace?"

"Notnow.Iwanttoseethementhatwerehurt.PerhapsIcanhelpthem.OnceItookafewweeksinnursing."

"Bullyforyou,ma'am,"whoopedMac."I'veanotionthoseboysaresufferin'forawomantoputthediamond-hitchonthembandages."

"Bringthatsuit-casein,"shecommandedDenver,inthegentlestvoicehehadeverheard,aftershehadmadeahastyinspectionofthefirstwoundedman.

Fromthesuit-caseshetookalittleleathermedicine-case,thekindthatcanbeboughtalreadypreparedforuse.Itheldamongotherthingsarollofmedicatedcotton,someantiseptictablets,andalittlesteelinstrumentforprobing.

"Somewarmwater,please;andhavesomeboilingontherange,"werehernextcommands.

Macflewtoexecutethem.

Itwasapleasuretoseeherwork,sodeftlytheskillfulhandsaccomplishedwhatherbraintoldthem.Inadmiringawethepunchersstoodawkwardlyaroundwhileshewashedanddressedthehurts.Twoofthebulletshadgonethroughthefleshypartofthearmandleftcleanwounds.Inthecaseofthethirdmanshehadtoprobeforthelead,butfortunatelyfounditwithlittledifficulty.Meanwhileshesoothedthevictimwithgentlewomanlysympathy.

"Iknowithurtsagooddeal.JustaminuteandI'llbethrough."


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Hishandsclutchedtightlytheedgesofhisbunk."That'sallright,doc.YouattendtoropingthatpillandI'llendurethegrief."

Alongsighofreliefwentupfromtheassembledcowboyswhenshedrewthebulletout.

Thesinewyhandsfastenedonthewoodenbunkrelaxedsuddenly.

"'Frisco'sdaid,"gaspedthecook,whoborethetitleofWunHopfornoreasonexceptthathewasanIrishmaninaplaceformerlyheldbyaChinese.

"Hehasonlyfainted,"shesaidquietly,andcontinuedwiththeantisepticdressing.

Whenitwasallover,thebig,tannedmengatheredattheentrancetothecalfcorralandexpandedinadmirationoftheirnewboss.

"She'sapureforfair.Shegradesupanyoldwayyuhtakehertothebestcorn-fedarticleonthemarket,"pronouncedDenver,withenthusiasm.

"Igottoridetheboundary,"sighedMissou."Ikinderhatetogoright

now."

"Here,too,"acquiescedanother."Igotaround-uponWindCreektocutoutthemtwo-year-olds.If'twasmysay-so,I'dorderMaconthatjob."

"Rightkindofy'u.Seemstome"--Mac'ssarcasticeyetrailedaroundtoincludeallthosewhohadbeensingingherpraises--"thenewqueenofthishaciendawon'thavenotroubleatallpickingaprinceconsortwhenshegetsroundtoit.Here'sWunHop,notwhaty'umightcallanxious,butce'tainlywilling.ThenDenver'ssomeintheturtle-dovebusiness,accordingtothathash-slingerinCheyenne.Missoumightbeinducedtoacceptifitwasofferedhimproper;andIallowJimain'tturnedthecolorofRedtop'shairjestforinstance.Idon'twanttoleaveout

'FriscoandtheotherboyscarryingBannister'spills--"

"NorMcWilliams.I'dadmiretoincludehim,"murmuredDenver.

Thatsunburned,nonchalantyouthlaughedmusically."Surething.I'dhatetobeleftout.Theonlydifferenceis--"

"Well?"

Hisrovingeyecircledblandlyround."Istandaboutoneshowinamillion.Y'uroughnecksaredeadonesalready."

WithwhichcoldcomforthesaunteredawaytojoinMissMessiterand

theforeman,whonowappearedtogetheratthedooroftheranchhouse,preparedtomakeatourofthebuildingsandtheimmediatecorrals.

"Isn'tthereawomanontheplace?"shewasaskingMorgan.

"No'm,thereain't.Henderson'sdaughterwouldcomeandstaywithy'uawhileIreckon."

"Pleasesendforheratonce,then,andaskhertocometo-day."


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"Allright.I'llsendoneoftheboysrightaway."

"Howdidy'uleave'Frisco,ma'am?"askedMac,bywayofincludinghimselfeasily.

"He'srestingquietly.Unlessblood-poisoningsetsintheyoughtalltodowell."

"It'srightluckyforthemy'uhappenedalong.Thisisthehawsscorral,ma'am,"explainedtheyoungmanjustasMorganopenedhisthinlipstotellher.

Juddcontrivedtogetridofhimpromptly."Slaponasaddle,Mac,andrunuptheremudasoMissMessitercanseethehawssesforherself,"heordered.

"Mebbeshe'dratherridedownandlookatthebunch,"suggestedthecapableMcWilliams.

Asitchanced,shedidprefertoridedownthepastureandlookovertheplacefromonhorseback.Shewasinlovewithherranchalready.Itsspaciousdistances,thethousandsofcattleandthehorses,thesepicturesqueretainerswhoservedhereventothesheddingofanenemy'sblood;theyallstruckanansweringechoinhergallantyoungheart

thatnothinginKalamazoohadbeenabletostir.Shebubbledoverwithenthusiasm,thewhileMorgancovertlysneeredandMcWilliamswarmedtotheuntamedyouthinher.

"WhataboutthismanBannister?"sheflungoutsuddenly,aftertheyhadcanteredbacktothehousewhentheremudahadbeeninspected.

Herabruptquestionbroughtagaintheshort,tensesilenceshehadbecomeusedtoexpect.

"Herunssheepabouttwentyorthirtymilessouthwestofhere,"explainedMcWilliams,inacarefullycasualtone.

"Soeverybodytellsme,butitseemstomehespillsagooddealofleadonmymen,"sheansweredimpatiently."What'sthetrouble?"

"Lastweekhecrossedthedead-linewithabunchoffivethousandsheep."

"Whodrawsthisdead-line?"

"Thecattlemengottogetheranddrewit.Yourunclewasoneofthosethatmarkeditoff,ma'am."

"AndBannistercrossedit?"

"Yes,ma'am.Yesterday'Friscocomeonhimandoneofhisherderswithabigbunchofthemlessthanfifteenmilesfromhere.Hedidn'tknowitwasBannister,andtookapot-shotathim.'CourseBannistercamebackathim,andhegotFriscointhelaig."

"Didn'tknowitwasBannister?WhatdifferenceWOULDthatmake?"shesaidimpatiently.

Maclaughed."Whatdifferencewoulditmake,Judd?"


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Morganscowled,andtheyoungmanansweredhisownquestion."Wedon'tanyofusgooutofourwaymore'namiletocrossBannister'strail,"hedrawled.

"Doyouwearthisforanornament?Areyouupholsteredwithhardwaretocatchtheeyesofsomegirl?"sheasked,touchingwiththeendofherwhiptherevolverintheholsterstrappedtohischaps.

Hisserene,gaysmileflashedather."Arey'uorderingmetogooutandgetNedBannister'sscalp?"

"No,Iamnot,"sheexplainedpromptly."WhatIamtryingtodiscoveriswhyyouallseemtobeafraidofoneman.Heisonlyaman,isn'the?"

Aveiloficeseemedtofallovertheboyishfaceandleaveitchiseledmarble.Hisunspeakingeyesrestedontheswarthyforemanasheanswered:

"Idon'tknowwhatheis,ma'am.Hemaybeoneman,orhemaybeahundred.What'smore,Iain'tparticularlysufferingtofindout.Factis,Ihaven'tlostanyBannisters."

Thegirlbecameawarethatherforemanwaslookingatherwithawarysilentvigilancesinisterinitsintensity.

"Inshort,you'reliketherestofthepeopleinthissection.You'reafraid."

"Nowy'u'reshoutin',MissMessiter.Isureamwhenitcomestoshootin'offmymouthaboutBannister."

"Andyou,Mr.Morgan?"

Itstruckherthattheyoungpuncherwaitedwithacuriousinterestfortheansweroftheforeman.

"DiditlooklikeIwasafraidthismawnin',ma'am?"heasked,with

narrowedeyes.

"No,youallseemedbraveenoughthen,whenyouhadhimeighttoone."

"Iwasn'tthere,"hastilyputinMcWilliams."Idon'tgogunningformymanwithoutgivinghimashow."

"Ido,"retortedMorgancruelly."I'dgoifwewasfiftytoone.We'd'a'gothim,too,ifithadn'tbeenforMissMessiter.'Twasachanceweain'tlikelytogetagainforayear."

"Itwasn'tyourfaultyoudidn'tkillhim,Mr.Morgan,"shesaid,lookinghardathim."Youmaybeinterestedtoknowthatyourlastshot

missedhimonlyaboutsixinches,andmeaboutfour."

"Ididn'tknowwhoyouwere,"hesullenlydefended.

"Isee.Youonlyshootatwomenwhenyoudon'tknowwhotheyare."SheturnedherbackonhimpointedlyandaddressedherselftoMcWilliams."YoucantellthemenworkingonthisranchthatIwon'thaveanymoresuchattacksonthismanBannister.Idon'tcarewhatorwhoheis.Idon'tproposetohavehimmurderedbymyemployees.Letthelawtakehimandhanghim.Doyouhear?"


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"Ice'tainlydo,andtheboyswillgetthewordstraight,"hereplied.

"ItakeitsinceyuharegivingyourordersthroughMac,yuhdon'tneedmeanylongerforyourforeman,"bulliedMorgan.

"Youtakeitright,sir,"camehercrispreply."McWilliamswillbemyforemanfromto-day."

Theman'sface,malignantandwolfish,suddenlylostitsmask.Thatshewouldsopromptlycallhisbluffwasthelastthinghehadexpected."That'sallright.Ireckonyuhthinkyuhknowyourownbusiness,butI'llputittoyuhstraight.Longasyuhliveyou'llbesorryforthis."

Andwiththathewheeledaway.

Sheturnedtohernewforemanandfoundhimlessradiantthanshecouldhavedesired."I'mrightsorryy'udidthat.I'mafraidy'u'llmaketroubleforyourself,"hesaidquietly.

"Why?"

"Idon'tknowmyselfjustwhy."Hehesitatedbeforeadding:"TheysayhimandBannisteristhickerthanthey'doughttobe.It'sacinchthat

he'sincahootssomehowwiththatShoshonebunchofbadmen."

"But--why,that'sridiculous.OnlythismorninghewastryingtokillBannisterhimself."

"That'swhatIdon'tjustsavvy.There'sawholelotaboutthatbusinessIdon'tgetnextto.IguessBannisterisattheheadofthem.Everybodyseemsagreedaboutthat.Butthewholethingisatangleofcontradictiontome.I'vemilleditoveraheapinmymind,too."

"Whataresomeofthecontradictions?"

"Well,here'sonerightoffthebat,asweusedtosaybackinthe

States.Bannisterisagreatmusician,theyclaim;finesinger,andallthat.NowIhappentoknowhecan'tsinganymorethanabellowingyearling."

"Howdoyouknow?"sheasked,hereyesshiningwithinterest.

"BecauseIheardhimtryit.'TwasonedaylastsummerwhenIwasoutcuttingtrailofabunchofstraysdownbyDeadCowCreek.Thedaywashot,andIlaydownbehindacottonwoodanddroppedofftosleep.WhenIawakeneditdidn'ttakemelonger'nanhourtodiscoverwhathadwokeme.Somebodyontheothersideofthecreekwastryingtosing.Itwasce'tainlythelimit.PrettysoonhecomeoutofthebrushandIseenitwasBannister."

"You'resureitwasBannister?"

"Ifseeingisbelieving,I'msure."

"Andwashissingingreallysobad?"

"I'dhateevertohearworse."

"Washesingingwhenyousawhim?"


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"No,he'djustquit.Hecaughtsightofmyponygrazing,andhuntedcoverrealprompt."

"Thenitmighthavebeenanothermansinginginthethicket."

"Itmight,butitwasn't.Y'usee,I'dfollowedhimthroughthebushbyhissong,andheshowedupthemomentIexpectedhim."

"Stilltheremighthavebeenanothermantheresinging."

"Onechanceinamillion,"heconceded.

Asuddenhopeflamedupliketowinherheart.Perhaps,afterall,NedBannisterwasnottheleaderoftheoutlaws.Perhapssomebodyelsewasmasqueradinginhisname,usingBannister'sunpopularityasashieldtocoverhisiniquities.Still,thiswasanunlikelyhypothesis,shehadtoadmit.Forwhyshouldheallowhisgoodnametobedraggedinthedustwithoutanyefforttosaveit?OnasuddenimpulsethegirlconfidedherdoubttoMcWilliams.

"Youdon'tsupposetherecanbeanymistake,doyou?SomehowIcan'tthinkhimasbadastheysay.Helooksawfullyreckless,butonefeelsonecouldtrusthisface."

"Samehere,"agreedthenewforeman."FirstoffwhenIsawhimmythinkwas,'I'dliketohavethatmanbackingmyplaywhenI'msittinginthegamewithOldManHardLuckreachingoutformybluechips.'"

"Youdon'tthinkfaceslie,doyou?"

"I'veseenthemthatdid,but,gen'rallyspeaking,tonguesareaheaplikeliertogettangledwiththetruth.ButIreckonthereain'tanydoubtaboutBannister.He'sknownoverallthisWesterncountry."

Theyoungwomansighed."I'mafraidyou'reright."

CHAPTER5.THEDANCEATFRASER'S

"HeardtellyetofthedanceovertoFraser's?"

HewasayoungmanofabrickredcountenanceandheworelooselyroundhisneckthebestpolkadotsilkhandkerchiefthatcouldbeboughtinGimletButte,alsosuchgalaattireaswasusuallyreservedonlyforeventsofimportance.Sittinghishorsecarelesslyintheplainsman'sindolentfashion,heaskedhisquestionofMcWilliamsinfrontoftheLazyDbunkhouse.

"Nope.Whendoestheshindigcomeoff?"

"Fridaynight.Bigthing.Y'uwanttobethere.Ally'ulads."

"Mebbesomeofuswillrideover."

Heofthepolkadotkerchiefdidnotappearquitesatisfied.Hisglancewanderedtowardthehouse,asithadbeendoingoccasionallysincethemomentofhisarrival.


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"Y'ubetthisdanceisacehigh,Mac.Fancycostumesandmasks.Y'ucanrentthecostumesovertoSlauson'sforthreeper.Texas,he'sgoingtocallthedances.MusicfromGimletButte.Y'uwanttogetittuckedawayinyourthinkerthatthisdanceain'tontheorderofculls.No,sirree,it'scornfed."

"Gladtohearofit.I'llcipheroutsomehowtobethere,Slim."

Slim'sglancetookintheranchhouseagain.Hehadriddentwenty-threemilesoutofhiswaytocatchaglimpseofthenewlyarrivedmistressoftheLazyD,thereportofwhosegoodlooksandadventureshadtraveledhandinhandthroughmanycanonseventotheheartoftheTetons.IthadbeenonSkunkCreekthathehadheardofherthreedaysbefore,andnowhehadcometoverifythetongueofrumor,toseeherquitecasually,ofcourse,anddohisownappraising.Itbegantolookasifheweregoingtohavetorideoffwithoutaglimpseofher.

Henoddedtowardthehouse,turningashademorepurplethanhisnativecholerichue."Y'uwanttobringyourbosswithy'u,Mac.Webeenhearingarightsmartlotaboutherandtheboyswouldadmiretohaveherpresent.It'sgoingtobestrictlyaccordingtoHoyle--norough-houseplaysgo,y'understand."

"I'llspeaktoheraboutit."Mac'sdeepamusementdidnotreachthe

surface.HewasquitewellawarethatSlimwasplayingfortimeandthathewastoobashfultoplumpoutthedesirethatwasinhim."Greatthewaycowsarejumpin',ain'tit?"

"Sure.Well,I'llbemovin'alongtoSlauson's.Ijustdrappedinonmyway.Thoughtmebbey'uhadn'theardtellofthedance."

"Muchobliged.WasitforoldmanSlausony'udugupallthemtogs,Slim?He'llce'tainlyadmiretoseey'uinthatsilktableclothy'ugotroundyourneck."

Slim'spurpledeepenedagain."Y'ugotograss,Mac.Idon'taimtoasky'utobemyvalleyyetawhile."

"C'rect.IwasjustwonderingdoalltheTriangleBarboysridetherangesohandsome?"

"Don'ty'uworryabouttheTriangleBarboys,"advisedtheembarrassedSlim,gatheringuphisbridlereins.

Withonemorereluctantglanceinthedirectionofthehouseherodeaway.Whenhereachedthecorralhelookedbackagain.Hisgazeshowedhimtheboyishforemandoubledupwithlaughter;alsothesweepofawhiteskirtdescendingfromthepiazza.

"Now,ain'tthathoodooedluck?"theaggrievedrideroftheTriangleBar

outfitdemandedofhimself,"Imademygetawayaboutthreeshakestoosoon,bygum!"

HerforemanwasinthethroesofmirthwhenHelenMessiterreachedhim.

"Includemeinthejoke,"shesuggested.

"Oh,Iwasjustthinkin',"heexplainedinadequately.

"Doesitalwaystakeyouthatway?"


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"Abouttheseboysthatdropinsofrequentonbusinessthesedays.Funnyhowfondthey'regettingoftheLazyD.Therewasthatstockdetectivehappenedinyesterdaytoshowhowanxioushewasaboutyourcows.ThenthetwoWillowCreekridersthatwantedajobpunchingfory'u,nottomentionmentiontheShoshoneminerandthestorekeeperfromGimletButteandSoapySothernand--"

"StillIdon'tquiteseethejoke."

"Itain'tanyjokewiththem.Seriousbusiness,ma'am."

"Whathappenedtostartyouonthisline?"

"Theladridingdowntheroadonthatpiebaldpinto.Hecometwentymilesoutofhisway,plumbdressedforawedding,alltogivemeaninvitetoadanceatFraser's.Y'uwouldcallthatrealthoughtfulofhim,Iexpect."

Shegaylysparkled."Arealranchdance--thekindyouhavebeentellingmeabout.AreIdaandIinvited?"

"Invited?SlimhintedatalynchingifIcamewithouty'u."

Shelaughedsoftly,merryeyesflashingswiftlyathim."HowgallantyouWesternersare,eventhoughyoudoturnitintoburlesque."

Hisyounglaughechoedhers."Burlesquenothing.Mylifewouldn'tbeworthathingifIwentalone.Honest,Iwouldn'tdare."

"Sincetheranchcan'taffordtoloseitsforemanIdaandIwillgoalong,"shepromised."Thatis,ifitisconsideredproperhere."

"Proper.Goodgracious,ma'am!Everyladyforthirtymilesroundwillbethere,fromsixmonthsoldtoeightyoddyears.Itwouldn'tbePROPERtostayathome."

TheforemandrovehertoFraser'sinasurreywithIdaHendersonandoneoftheLazyDpunchersonthebackseat.Thedrivewasovertwenty-fivemiles,butinthatsilentstarrynighteverymilewasadelight.Partofthewayledthroughabeautifulcanon,alongtherockymountainroadofwhichtheyoungmanguidedtherigwithunerringskill.Beyondthegorgethecountrydebouchedintoagrassyparkthatfellawayfromtheirfeetformiles.ItwasinthisbasinthattheFraserranchlay.

Thestrainsofthefiddleandthethumpingoffeetcouldbeheardastheydroveup.Alreadytheroomsseemedtobeprettywellfilled,asHelennoticedwhentheyentered.Threesetswereonthefloorforaquadrilleandthehouseshookwiththeenergyofthedancers.Onbenchesagainstthewallswereseatedthespectators,andononeofthemstood

Texascallingthedance.

"Alemaneleft.Righthandt'yerpardnerandgrandrightandleft.Ev-v-rybodyswing,"chantedthecaller.

Adozenroughyoungfellowswereclusterednearthefrontdoor,apparentlyafraidtoventurefartherlesttheirescapebecutoff.ThroughtheseMcWilliamspushedawayforhischarges,thecowboysfallingbackrespectfullyatoncewhentheydiscoveredthepresenceofMissMessiter.


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InthebedroomwheresheleftherwrapsthemistressoftheLazyDfoundadozenormoreinfantsandseveraloftheirmothers.Inthekitchenwerestillotherwomenandbabies,someoftheformerveryoldandofthelatterveryyoung.Afewofthebabieswereasleep,butmostofthemwerestillverymuchalivetothissceneofunwontedhilarityintheiryounglives.

AssoonassheemergedintothegeneralpublicityofthedancingroomherforemanpounceduponHelenandledhertoaplaceintheheadsetthatwasmakingup.Thefloorwasrough,themusicjerkyanduncertain,thequadrillinganexhibitionofjoyousandawkwardabandon;butitspicturesquelackofconventionappealedtothegirlfromMichigan.Itratherstartledhertobeswungsovigorously,butaglanceabouttheroomshowedthatthesehumorous-eyedWesternersweremerelylivinguptothedutyofthehourastheyunderstoodit.

AtthecloseofthequadrilleHelenfoundherselfbeingintroducedto"Mr.Robins,"aliasSlim,whodrewoneofhisfeetbackinanembarrassedbow.

"Ienjoytomeety'u,ma'am,"heassuredher,andsupplementedthiswitharequestforthenextdance,afterwhichhefellintosilencethatwaspainfulinitsintensity.

Nearlyallthedancesweresquares,asfewofthosepresentunderstoodtheintricaciesofthewaltzandtwo-step.HenceithappenedthattheproficientMcWilliamssecuredthreerounddanceswithhismistress.

Itwasduringthelunchofsandwiches,cakeandcoffeethatHelenperceivedanadditiontothecompany.Theaffairhadbeenadvertisedacostumeball,butmostofthosepresenthadconstruedthisveryliberally.Sheherself,tobesure,hadcomeasMaryQueenofScots,Macwasarrayedinthescarlettunicandtight-fittingbreechesoftheNorthwestMountedPolice,andperhapseightortenothershadmadesomeattemptatrepresentingsomeoneotherthantheywere.Shenowsawanother,apparentlyanewarrival,standinginthedoorwaynegligently.

Aglancetoldherthathewasmadeupforaroadagentandthathisrevolversandmaskwereapartofthenecessarycostuming.

Slowlyhisgazecircledtheroomandcameroundtoher.Hiseyeswerehardasdiamondsandasflashing,sothattheimpactoftheirmeetinglooksseemedtoshockherphysically.Hewasatallman,swarthyofhue,andhecarriedhimselfwithalighteasethatlookedsilkenstrong.Somethinginthebearingwasfamiliaryetnotquitefamiliareither.Itseemedtosuggestaresemblancetosomebodysheknew.AndinthenextthoughtsheknewthatthesomebodywasNedBannister.

ThemanspoketoFraser,justthenpassingwithacupofcoffee,andHelensawthetwomenapproach.Thestrangerwascomingtobeformally

introduced.

"ShakehandswithMr.Holloway,MissMessiter.He'sfromupinthehillcountryandherodetoourfrolic.Y'u'vegotthreeguessestofigureoutwhathe'smadeupas."

"Onewillbequiteenough,Ithink,"sheansweredcoldly.

Fraserdepartedonhisdestinationwiththecoffeeandthenewcomersatdownonthebenchbesideher.


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"One'senough,isit?"hedrawledsmilingly.

"Quite,butI'msurprisedsofewcameincostume.Whydidn'tyou?ButIsupposeyouhadyourreasons."

"Didn'tI?I'msupposedtobeabadmanfromthehills."

Sheswepthimcasuallywithanindifferentglance."Andisn'tthatwhatyouareinreallife?"

Hissharpscrutinychiseledintoher."What'sthat?"

"Youwon'tmindifIforgetandcallyouMr.BannisterinsteadofMr.Holloway?"

Shethoughthiscounterfeitastonishmentperfect.

"SoI'mNedBannister,amI?"

Theireyesclashed.

"Aren'tyou?"

Shefeltsureofit,andyettherewasalurkingdoubt.Fortherewasinhismannersomethingindescribablymoresinisterthanshehadfeltinhimonthatoccasionwhenshehadsavedhislife.Thenadebonairrecklessnesshadbeentheoutstandingnote,butnowtherewassomethingribaldandwickedinhim.

"Sincey'uputitasaquestion,commonpolitenessdemandsananswer.NedBannisterismyname."

"Youaretheterrorofthiscountry?"

"Ishan'tbeaterrortoy'u,ma'am,ifIcanhelpit,"hesmiled.

"Butyouarethemantheycalltheking?"

"Ihavethathonor."

"HONOR?"

Atthesharpscornofheraccenthelaughed.

"Doyoumeanthatyouareproudofyourvillainy?"shedemanded.

"Y'u'vece'tainlygottheteacherhabitofaskingquestions,"herepliedwithalaughthatwasasneer.

Ashadowfellacrossthemandavoicesaidquietly,"Shedidn'twaittoaskanywhenshesavedyourlifedowninthecouleebackoftheLazyD."

TheshadowwasJimMcWilliams's,anditsownerlookeddownatthemanbesidethegirlwithsteady,hostileeyes.

"Isthisyourputin,sir?"theotherflashedback.

"Yes,seh,itis.Theboysdon'tquitelikeseeingyourhardwaresoprominentatasocialgathering.Inthiscommunitygunsdon'tcomeinto


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thehouseataranchdance.I'macommitteetomentionthesubjectandtocollectyourthirty-eightsify'uagreewithus."

"AndifIdon'tagreewithyou?"

"There'salloutdoorsreadytoreceivey'u,seh.Itwouldbeapitytostayintheonespotwhereyourwelcome'sworethin."

"StillImaychoosetostay."

"Ce'tainly,butify'udecidethatwayy'ubetterstepoutontheporchandtalkitoverwithuswherethereain'tladiespresent."

"Isn'tthisacostumedance?What'sthematterwithmyguns?I'manoutlaw,ain'tI?"

"Idon'tknowwhethery'uareornot,seh.Ify'usayy'uarewe'rereadytotakeyourword.Thegunshavetobeshuckedify'ustayhere.Theymightgooffaccidentalandscaretheladies."

Themanroseblackly."I'llrememberthis.Ify'uknewwhoy'uweregettingsogaywith--"

"Icanguess,Mr.Holloway,thekindofanoutfity'ufreightwith,and

IexpectIcouldputahandletoanothernameforyou."

"ByGod,ify'udaretosay--"

"Idon'tdare,especiallyamongsomanyladies,"cameMcWilliams'sjauntyanswer.

Theeyesofthetwomengripped,afterwhichHollowayswungonhisheelandswaggereddefiantlyoutofthehouse.

Presentlytherecamethesoundofapony'sfeetgallopingdowntheroad.IthadnotyetdiedawaywhenTexasannouncedthatthesupperintermissionwasover.

"Pardnersforaquadrille.Ladies'choice."

Thedancewasonagainfullswing.Thefiddlersweretuningupandcouplesgatheringforaquadrille.DenvercametoclaimMissMessiterforapartner.ApparentlyeventheexistenceofthevanishedHollowaywasforgotten.ButHelenrememberedit,andponderedovertheaffairlongafterdaylighthadcomeandbroughtwithitanendtothefestivities.

CHAPTER6.APARTYCALL

ThemistressoftheLazyD,justthroughwithhermorningvisittothehospitalinthebunkhouse,stoppedtoreadthegaudypostertackedtothewall.Itwasembellishedwiththedrawingofaplacidriderastridetheembodimentoffuryincarnate,underwhichwasthelegend:"SticktoYourSaddle."

BIGFOURTHOFJULYCELEBRATIONATGIMLETBUTTE.ROPINGANDBRONCOBUSTINGCONTESTSFORTHECHAMPIONSHIPOFTHEWORLDANDBIGPRIZES,Including$1,000fortheBestRiderandtheSameforBestRoper.Cow


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PonyRaces,Ladies'RacesandLadies'RidingContest,Fireworks,ANDFREEBARBECUE!!!!EVERYBODYCOMEANDTURNYOURWOLFLOOSE.

Asuddenthudofpoundinghoofs,asnatchofragtime,andherforemansweptupinacloudofwhitedust.Hisponycamefromagalloptoaninstanthalt,andsimultaneouslyMaclandedbesideher,onehandholdingthewide-brimmedhathehadsnatchedoffinhisdescent,theotherhitchedbyacasualthumbtothebeltofhischaps.

Shelaughed."Youreallydiditverywell."

Macblushed.Hewasstillyoungenoughtotakeprideinhispicturesqueregalia,topreferthedramaticwayofdoingacommonplacething.But,thoughhelikedthisgirl'strickoflaughingathimwithaperfectlygravefaceoutofthosedark,long-lashedeyes,hewouldhavelikeditbetterifsometimestheyhadgivenbacktheapplausehethoughthislittletricksmerited.

"Sho!That'sfoolishness,"hedeprecated.

"Isupposetheygotyoutositforthispicture;"andsheindicatedtheposterwithawaveofherhand.

"Thatain'tarealpicture,"heexplained,andwhenshesmiledadded,

"asofcoursey'uknow.Nohawsseverpitchedthatway--andthesaddleain'tright.Factis,it'sallwrong."

"Howdiditcomehere?Itwasn'therelastnight."

"IreckonDenverbroughtitfromSlauson's.Hewasridin'thatcountryyesterday,andastheboyswasoutofsmokin'hecomehomethatway."

"Isupposeyou'llallgo?"

"Ireckon."

"Andyou'llride?"

"Iaimtositin."

"Attheroping,too?"

"No,m'm.Iain'tsomuchwiththerope.IttakesaMexicantosnakearope."

"ThenI'llbeabletoborrowonlyathousanddollarsfromyoutohelpbuythatbunchofyoungcowswewerespeakingabout,"shemocked.

"Onlyathousand,"hegrinned."Anditain'tacinchI'llwin.Therearethreeorfourstraightupridersonthisrange.Afellowcomefromthe

Hole-in-the-Wallandwonoutlastyear."

"Andwherewereyou?"

"Oh,Itooksecondprize,"heexplained,withobviousindifference.

"Well,youhadbettergetfirstthisyear.We'llhavetoshowthemtheLazyDhasn'tgonetosleep."

"Surething,"heagreed.


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"HasthatbuyerfromCheyenneturnedupyet?"sheasked,revertingtobusiness.

"Notyet.Doy'uwantIshouldmakethecutsoonashecomes?"

"Don'tyouthinkhispriceisalittlelow--twentydollarsfrombrandup?"

"It'sascrubbunch.Wewanttogetridofthem,anyway.Butyou'rethedoctor,"heconcludedslangily.

Shethoughtamoment."We'lllethimhavethem,butdon'tmakethecuttillIcomeback.I'mgoingtorideovertotheTwinButtes."

Hisadmiringeyesfollowedherasshewenttowardtheponythatwaswaitingsaddledwiththereinthrowntotheground.Shecarriedherslim,lithefigurewithagrace,alightness,thatfewwomencouldhaverivaled.Whenshehadswungtothesaddle,shehalf-turnedinherseattocallanordertotheforeman.

"Ithink,Mac,youhadbetterrunupthosehorsesfromEagleCreek.HaveDenverandMissoulookafterthem."

"Sure,ma'am,"hesaidaloud;andtohimself:"She'sce'tainlyathoroughbred.Doeseverythingwellshetackles.Ineversawanythinglikeit.I'maChinkifshedoesn'trunthisranchlikeshehadbeenatitfortyyears.Samethingwithhergasolinebronc.Thatpinto,too.He'sgotabadeyeforfair,butshemakeshimeatoutofherhand.Ireckonthepintoisliketherestofus--cleanmashed."Heputhisarmsonthecorralfenceandgrewintrospective."BlamedifIknowwhatitisabouther.'Courseshe'sawinneronlooks,butthatain'titalone.Iguessit'sonaccountofherbeingsuchagamelittlegentleman.Whensheturnsthatsmilelooseonafellow--well,there'ssuresunshineintheair.Andgame--why,NedBannisterain'tgamerhimself."

McWilliamshadclimbedlazilytothetopboardofthefence.Hewasan

energeticyouth,buthelikedtodohisthinkingathisease.Now,ashisgazestillfolloweditslodestar,hesuddenlyslippedfromhisseatandranforward,pullingtherevolverfromitsscabbardasheran.Intohiseyeshadcreptatensealertness,theshiningwatchfulnessofthetigerreadyforitsspring.

ThecauseofthechangeintheforemanoftheLazyDwasasimpleone,andonitsfaceinnocentenough.Itwasmerelythatastrangerhadswungincasuallyatthegateoftheshortstablelane,andwasduetomeetMissMessiterinabouttenseconds.Sofargoodenough.Adozentravelersdroppedineveryday,butthisparticularonehappenedtobeNedBannister.

Fromthestabledoorashotrangout.Bannisterduckedandshoutedgenially:"Tryagain."

ButHelenMessiterwhirledherponyasonahalf-dollar,andchargeddownonthestable.

"Whofiredthatshot?"shedemanded,hereyesblazing.

Thehorse-wranglershowedembarrassment.Hehadfoundtimeonlytoleantherifleagainstthewall.


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"IreckonIdid,ma'am.Y'usee--"

"Didyougetmyordersaboutthisfeud?"sheinterruptedcrisply.

"Yes,ma'am,but--"

"Thenyoumaycallforyourtime.WhenIgivemymenordersIexpectthemtoobey."

"Iwouldn't'a'shotifI'dknowedy'uwassonearhim.Y'uwasbehindthatsummerkitchen,"heexplainedlamely.

"YouonlyexpecttoobeyorderswhenI'minsight.Isthatit?"sheaskedhotly,andwithoutwaitingforananswerdeliveredherultimatum."Well,Iwon'thaveit.IrunthisranchaslongasIamitsowner.Doyouunderstand?"

"Yes,ma'am.Ihadn'toughttohavedidit,butwhenIseenBannisteritcomeovermeIowedhimapillfortheonehesentmelastweekdowninthecoulee.SoIupandgrabbedtherifleandlethimhaveit."

"ThenyoumayupandgrabyourtrunkforMedicineHill.Shortywilldriveyoutomorrow."

Whenshereturnedtoherunexpectedguest,HelenfoundhiminconversationwithMcWilliams.Thelatter'sgunhadfoundagainitsholster,buthisbrown,gracefulhandhoveredclosetoitsbutt.

"SeemslikealongtimesincetheLazyDhasbeenhonoredbyavisitfromMr.Bannister,"hewassaying,withgentleirony.

"That'sright.SoIhavecometomakeupforlosttime,"cameBannister'squietretort.

MissMessiterdidnotknowmuchaboutWyominghumannatureintheraw,butshehadlearnedenoughtobesurethatthesoftcourtesyofthese

twoyouthscoveredastarkcouragethatmightleaptolifeanymoment.Whereforesheinterposed.

"We'llbepleasedtoshowyouovertheplace,Mr.Bannister.Asithappens,weareclosetothehospital.Shallwebeginthere?"

Hercool,silkendefianceearnedasmilefromthevisitor."Allyourcasesdoingwell,ma'am?"

"It'sverykindofyoutoask.IsupposeyoutakeaninterestbecausetheyareYOURcases,too,inawayofspeaking?"

"Mine?Indeed!"

"Yes.IfitwerenotforyouI'mafraidourhospitalwouldbeempty."

"ItmustberightpleasanttobenursedbyMissMessiter.Ireckontheboysaregratefultomeforscatteringmyleadsopromiscuous."

"Iheardonesayhewouldliketolamyourhaidtenderly,"murmuredMcWilliams.

"Withatwo-by-four,Isuppose,"laughedBannister.


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"Shouldn'twonder.But,lookingy'uovercasual,itoccurstomehemightgetsickofhisjobbefo'heturnedy'uloose,"McWilliamsadmitted,withaglanceofadmirationatthecleanpowershowingintheother'ssupplelines.

Norcouldeithertheforemanorhismistressdenythetributeoftheirrespecttothebravadoofthisscampwhosatsojauntilyhisseatregardlessofwhatthenextmomentmightbringforth.Threewoundedmenwereabouttheplace,allpresumablyquitewillingtogetacleanshotathimintheopen.Oneofthemhadtakenhischancealready,andmissed.Theirvisitorhadnowarrantforknowingthatasecondmightnotanyinstanttryhisluckwithbettersuccess.Yethelookedeveryinchthemanonhorseback,nowhitdisturbed,nottheleastconsciousofanydanger.Tall,spare,broadshouldered,thisberry-brownyoungman,crownedwithclose-croppedcurls,satatthegatesoftheenemyverymuchathisinsolentcase.

"Icameovertopaymypartycall,"heexplained.

"Itreallywasn'tnecessary.Aruninthemachineisnotaformalfunction."

"MaybenotinKalamazoo."

"Ithoughtperhapsyouhadcometogetmypurseandthesixty-threedollars,"shederided.

"No,ma'am;noryettogetthatbunchofcowsIwasgoingtorustlefromyoutobuyanauto.Icametoaskyoutogoridingwithme."

Theaudacityofittookherbreath.Ofalltheoutrageousthingsshehadeverheard,thiswasthecream.Anacknowledgedoutlaw,engagedinfeudwithherretainersoverthatdeadlyquestionoftherunoftherange,hehadsaunteredovertotheranchwherelivedadozenofhisenemies,threeofthemstillscarredwithhisbullets,merelytoaskhertogoridingwithhim.Themagnificenceofhisbravadoalmostobliteratedits

impudence.Ofcourseshewouldnotthinkofgoing.Theidea!Buthereyesglowedwithappreciationofhiscourage,notthelessbecausetheconsciousnessofitwassoconspicuouslyabsentfromhismanner.

"Ithinknot,Mr.Bannister"andherfacealmostimperceptiblystiffened."Idon'tgoridingwithstrangers,norwithmenwhoshootmyboys.AndI'llgiveyouapieceofadvice,sir.Thatis,toburnthewindbacktoyourhome.OtherwiseIwon'tanswerforyourlife.Mypunchersdon'tloveyou,andIdon'tknowhowlongIcankeepthemfromyou.You'renotwantedhereanymorethanyouwereatthedancetheotherevening."

McWilliamsnodded."That'sright.Y'ubetterrollyourtrail,seh;and

ify'utakemyadvice,you'llthrowgravellively.Iseentwooftheboyscuttingacrostthatpasturefiveminutesago.Theylookedasiftheymightbehaidedtocuty'uoff,andIallowitmaybetheirnighttohowl.MissMessiterdon'twanttoberesponsiblefory'ugettingleadpoisoning."

"Indeed!"Theirvisitorlookedpolitelyinterested."Thissolicitudeformeisverytouching.Iobservethatbothofyouarecarefullyblockingmefromthebunkhouseinordertopreventanotherpractice-shot.IfIcan'tpersuadeyoutojoinmeinaride,MissMessiter,IreckonI'll


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gowhileI'mstillunpunctured."Hebowed,andgatheredthereinsfordeparture.

"Onemoment!Mr.McWilliamsandIaregoingwithyou,"thegirlannounced.

"Changedyourmind?Thinkyou'lltakealittlepasear,afterall?"

"Idon'twanttoberesponsibleforyourkilling.We'llseeyousafeofftheplace,"sheansweredcurtly.

TheforemanfellinononesideofBannister,hismistressontheother.Theyrodeincloseformation,tolessenthechanceofanambuscade.Bannisteralonechattedathisdebonairease,ignoringtheresponsibilitytheyfeltforhissafety.

"Igotmyride,afterall,"hepresentlychuckled."Tobesure,Iwasn'texpectingMr.McWilliamstochaperonus.Butthat'sanaddedpleasure."

"Woulditbeanaddedpleasuretogetbumpedofftokingdomcome?"drawledtheforeman,givingareluctantadmirationtohisaplomb.

"Thinkingofthosewillingboysofyoursagain,areyou?"laughedBannister."They'rece'tainlyaheapprevalentwiththeirhardware,but

theirhuntingdon'tseemtobringhomeanymeat."

"Bytheway,howISyourankle,Mr.Bannister?Iforgottoask."Thisshotfromtheyoungwoman.

Heenjoyeditwithinternalmirth."Theydidhappenonthetargetthattime,"headmitted."Oh,it'sgettingalongfine,butIaimtodomostofmywalkingonhorsebackforawhile."

Theysweptpastthefirstdangerousgroveofcottonwoodsinsafety,androundedtheboundaryfencecorner.

"They'reinthatbunchofpinesoverthere,"saidtheforeman,aftera

singlesweepofhiseyesinthatdirection.

"Yes,Iseetheyare.Yououghtn'ttoletyourboyswearredbandannaswhentheygogunning,MissMessiter.It'sanawfulcarelesshabit."

Helenherselfcouldseenosignoflifeinthegroupofpines,butsheknewtheirkeen,trainedeyeshadfoundwhatherscouldnot.Ridingwithoneoranotherofhercowboys,shehadoftennoticedhowinfalliblytheycouldreadthecountryformilesaround.Ascatteredpatchonadistanthillside,thoughitmightbeahalf-hour'sridefromthem,toldthemagreatdealmorethanseemedpossible.Toherthedarkspotssiftedonthatslopemeantscrubunderbrush,iftherewasanymeaningatallinthem.Butherriderscouldtellnotonlywhethertheywerealive,but

coulddifferentiatebetweensheepandcattle.Indeed,McWilliamscouldnearlyalwaystellwhethertheywereHERcattleornot.Hewasunabletoexplaintoherhowhedidit.Byasortofinstinct,shesupposed.

Thepineswerenegotiatedinsafety,andonthepartofthemenwithacarelessnessshecouldnotunderstand.Foraftertheyhadpassedtherewasaspotbetweenhershoulder-bladesthatseemedtotingleinexpectationofapossiblebulletboringitswaythrough.Butshewouldhavediedratherthanletthemknowhowshefelt.


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PerhapsBannisterunderstood,however,forheremarkedcasually:"Iwouldn'tbeamblingpastsoleisurelyifIwasridingalone.Itmakesaheapofdifferencewhoyourcompanyis,too.Thosepuncherswouldn'ttakeachanceatmenowforamilliondollars."

"No,they'resomehaidstrong,buttheyain'tplumblocoed,"agreedMac.

FifteenminuteslaterHelendrewupatthelinecorner."We'llpartcompanyhere,Mr.Bannister.Idon'tthinkthereisanymoredangerfrommymen."

"BeforewepartthereissomethingIwanttosay.Iholdthatamanhasasmuchrighttorunsheeponthesehillsascows.It'sgovernmentland,andneitheroneofusownsit.It'sboundtobeacaseofthesurvivalofthefittest.Ifsheeparehardierandmoreadaptedtothecountry,thencowshavegottovamos.That'snature,asitlookstome.Thebuffaloandtheantelopehavegone,andIguesscowshavegottotaketheirturn."

Herscornfuleyesburnedhim."Youcametotellmethat,didyou?Well,Idon'tbelieveawordofit.I'llnotyieldmyrightswithoutafight.Youmaydependonthat."

"Here,too,"noddedherforeman."I'mwithmybosscleardowntheline.

Andassoonassheletsmeturnloosemysix-gun,you'llhearitpop,seh."

"Ihavenotadoubtofit,Mr.McWilliams,"returnedthesheepmanblithely."InthemeantimeIwasgoingtosaythatthoughmostofmyinterestsareinsheepinsteadofcattle--"

"Ithoughtmostofyourinterestswereinotherpeople'sproperty,"interruptedtheyoungwoman.

"Itgoesintosheepultimately,"hesmiled."Now,whatIamtryingtogetatisthis:I'mindebttoyouaheap,MissMessiter,andsinceI'mnotallyellowcur,Iintendtoplayfairwithyou.Ihaveorderedmy

sheepbackacrossthedeadline.Youcanhavethisrangetoyourselfforyourcattle.Thefight'soffsofaraswepersonallyareconcerned."

Ahintofdeepercolortouchedhercheeks.Hermannerhadbeencavalieratbest;forthemostpartfranklyhostile;andallthetimethemanwasonanerrandofgood-will.Certainlyhehadscoredatherexpense,andshewasashamedofherself.

"Y'umeanthatyou'regoingtorespectthedeadline?askedMacinsurprise.

"Ididn'tsayquitethat,"explainedthesheepman."WhatIsaidwasthatImeanttokeeponmysideofitsofarastheLazyDcattleare

concerned.I'llletyourrangealone."

"Buty'umeantocrossitdownbelowwheretheBarDouble-Ecowsrun?"

Bannister'sgaysmiletouchedthesardonicface."Doyouinvitethepublictoexamineyourhandwhenyousitintoagameofpoker,Mr.McWilliams?"

"You'redeadright.It'snoneofmybusinesswhaty'udosolongasy'ukeepoffourrange,"admittedtheforeman."Andnexttimethe


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conversationhappensonMr.Bannister,I'llputinmylittlesay-sothatheain'tallblack."

"That'sverygoodofyou,sir,"wastheother'sironicalretort.

Thegirl'sgauntletedhandoffereditselfimpulsively."Wecan'tbefriendsunderexistingcircumstances,Mr.Bannister.ButthatdoesnotalterthefactthatIoweyouanapology.Youcameasapeaceenvoy,andoneofmymenshotatyou.Ofcourse,hedidnotunderstandthereasonwhyyoucame,butthatdoesnotmatter.Ididnotknowyourreasonmyself,andIknowIhavebeenveryinhospitable."

"AreyoushakinghandswithNedBannisterthesheepmanorNedBannistertheoutlaw?"askedtheownerofthatname,withaqueerlittlesmilethatseemedtomockhimself.

"WithNedBannisterthegentleman.IfthereisanothersidetohimIdon'tknowitpersonally."

Heflushedunderneaththetan,butveryplainlywithpleasure."YouropinionsarerightcontrarytoHoyle,ma'am.Aren'tyouawarethatasheepmanisthelowestthingthatwalks?AskMr.McWilliams."

"Ihaveknownstockmenofthatopinion,but--"

Theforeman'ssentencewasneverfinished.Fromaclumpofbushesahundredyardsawaycamethecrackofarifle.Abulletsangpast,cuttingalinethatleftononesideofitBannister,ontheotherMissMessiterandherforeman.Instantlythetwomenslidfromtheirhorsesonthefartherside,draggeddowntheyoungwomanbehindthecoverofthebroncos,andarrangedthethreeponiessoastogiveherthegreatestprotectionavailable.Somehowtheweaponsthatgarnishedthemhadleapedtotheirhandsbeforetheirfeettouchedtheground.

"Thatcoyoteisn'toneofourmen.I'llbackthatopinionhigh,"saidMcWilliamspromptly.

"Whoishe?"thegirlwhispered.

"That'swhatwe'regoingtofindoutprettysoon,"returnedBannistergrimly."Chancesareit'smeheistryingtogather.Now,I'mgoingtomakeabreakforthatcottonwood.WhenIgo,youbetterrunupawhitehandkerchiefandmovebackfromthefiring-line.TurnBuckloosewhenyouleave.He'llstayaroundandcomewhenIwhistle."

Hemadearunforit,zigzaggingthroughthesage-brushsoswiftlyastooffertheleastcertainmarkpossibleforasharpshooter.Yettwicetheriflespokebeforehereachedthecottonwood.

MeanwhileMachadfastenedthehandkerchiefofhismistressontheend

ofaswitchhehadpickedupandwasedgingoutofrange.Histense,narrowedgazeneverleftthebush-clumpfromwhichtheshotswerebeingpumped,andhewascarefulduringtheirretreattoremainonthedangersideoftheroad,inordertocoverHelen.

"IguessBannister'sright.Hedon'twantus,whoeverheis."

Andevenashemurmuredit,thewindofabulletliftedhishatfromhishead.Hepickeditupandexaminedit.Thecourseofthebulletwasmarkedbyaholeinthewidebrim,andtwomoreinthesideandcrown.


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"Hece'tainlyventilateditproper.Ireckon,ma'am,we'llmakearunforit.Lielowonthepinto'sneck,withyourhaidontheoffside.That'sright.Lethimout."

AmileandahalffartheruptheroadMacreinedin,andmadetheIndianpeace-sign.TwodejectedfigurescameoverthehillandresolvedthemselvesintopunchersoftheLazyD.Eachofthemtrailedariflebyhisside.

"You'reafinepairofring-tailedsnorters,ain'ty'u?"jeeredtheforeman."Gottogetgayandgoprojectin'roundontheshootaftery'ugotyourorderstostayhitched.Anythingtosayforyo'selves?"

Iftheyhaditwassaidverysilently.

"Now,MissMessiterisgoingtopassitupthistime,butfromnowony'udon'tgooffonanyprivatemassacreeswhiley'upunchattheLazyD.Gitthat?Thishyeristhelastcallforsupperinthedining-cah.Ify'umissit,y'u'llfeedatsomeotherchuckhouse."Suddenlythedrawlofhissarcasmvanished.Hisvoicecarriedtheringofperemptorycommand."Jim,y'ugobacktotheranchwithMissMessiter,ANDKEEPYOUREYESOPEN.Missou,Ineedy'u.We'regoingback.Ireckony'ubetterhangontothestirrup,forwegottotravelsome.Adios,

senorita!"

Hewasoffataslowlopeontheroadhehadjustcome,theothermanrunningbesidethehorse.Presentlyhestopped,asifthearrangementwerenotsatisfactory;andthesecondmanswungbehindhimonthepony.Later,whensheturnedinhersaddle,

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WYOMING: A STORY OF THE OUTDOOR WEST By William MacLeod Raine

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