k
behind a young lady's skirts to save our hides. It's not etiquette on the
Pecos."

The red color burned through her dusky skin. "I'm not doing it for you,"
she said stiffly. "It's dad I'm thinking about. I don't want him mixed
up in such a business. I won't have it either."

"You'd better go to him and talk it over, then."

"No. I'll stay here. He wouldn't listen to me a minute."

Billie was still patient with her. "I don't think you'd better stay, Miss
Lee. I know just how you feel. But there are a lot of folks won't
understand howcome you to take up with yore father's enemies. They'll
talk a lot of foolishness likely."

The cowpuncher blushed at his own awkward phrasing of the situation, yet
the thing had to be said and he knew no other way to say it.

She flashed a resentful glance at him. Her cheeks, too, flamed.

"I don't care what they say since it won't be true," she answered
proudly. "You needn't argue. I've staked out a claim here."

"I wish you'd go. There's still time."

The girl turned on him angrily with swift, animal grace. "I tell you it's
none of your business whether I go or stay. I'll do just as I please."

Prince gave up his attempt to change her mind. If she would stay, she
would. He set about arranging the defense.

Young Clanton crept out to the mouth of the cave and lay down with his
rifle beside him. His friend piled up the tumble weeds in front of him.

"We're right enough in front--easy enough to stand 'em off there,"
reflected Billie, aloud. "But I'd like to know what's to prevent us from
being attacked in the rear. They can crawl up through the brush till
they're right on top of the bank. They can post sharpshooters in the
mesquite across the river so that if we come out to check those snakin'
forward, the snipers can get us."

"I'll sit on the bank above the cave and watch 'em," announced Lee.

"An' what if they mistook you for one of us?" asked Prince dryly.

"They can't, with me wearing a red coat."

"You're bound to be in this, aren't you?" His smile was more friendly
than the words. It admitted reluctant admiration of her.

The party on the other side of the river was in plain sight now. Jim
counted four--five--six of them as they deployed. Presently Prince threw
a bullet into the dust at the feet of one of the horses as they moved
forward. It was meant as a warning not to come closer and accepted as
one.

After a minute of consultation a single horseman rode to th