rushed forward to prevent him. It was Garey!

"No, yer don't! No!" cried he, clutching the levelled rifle; "she's
deceived me, that's plain, but I won't see the gal that once loved me,
or said she did, in the trap that a-way. No! Bill Garey ain't a-goin'
to stand by and see it."

"What is this?" shouted the Indian, in a voice of thunder. "Who dares
to interrupt me?"

"I dares," replied Garey. "She's yourn now, I suppose. You may take
her whar ye like; and take this too," continued he, tearing off the
embroidered pipe-case, and flinging it at the Indian's feet; "but ye're
not a-goin' to shoot her down whiles I stand by."

"By what right do you interrupt me? My sister is not afraid, and--"

"Your sister!"

"Yes, my sister."

"And is yon gal your sister?" eagerly inquired Garey, his manner and the
expression of his countenance all at once changing.

"She is. I have said she is."

"And are you El Sol?"

"I am."

"I ask your pardon; but--"

"I pardon you. Let me proceed!"

"Oh, sir, do not. No! no! She is your sister, and I know you have the
right, but thar's no needcessity. I have heerd of your shootin'. I
give in; you kin beat me. For God's sake, do not risk it; as you care
for her, do not!"

"There is no risk. I will show you."

"No, no! If you must, then, let me! I will hold it. Oh, let me!"
stammered the hunter, in tones of entreaty.

"Hollo, Billee! What's the dratted rumpus?" cried Rube, coming up.
"Hang it, man! let's see the shot. I've heern o' it afore. Don't be
skeert, ye fool! he'll do it like a breeze; he will!"

And as the old trapper said this he caught his comrade by the arm, and
swung him round out of the Indian's way.

The girl, during all this, had stood still, seemingly not knowing the
cause of the interruption. Garey's back was turned to her, and the
distance, with two years of separation, doubtless prevented her from
recognising him.

Before Garey could turn to interpose himself, the rifle was at the
Indian's shoulder and levelled. His finger was on the trigger, and his
eyes glanced through the sights. It was too late to interfere. Any
attempt at that might bring about the dreaded result. The hunter, as he
turned, saw this, and halting in his tracks, stood straining and silent.

It was a moment of terrible suspense to all of us--a moment of intense
emotion. The silence was profound. Every breath seemed suspended;
every eye was fixed on the yellow o