ou, nobody'd know you. That's what I've been
planning. You could look after the farm and Bill could go back and
forth. As soon as the news comes that Red Feather killed Gledware,
it'll be taken for granted that he killed Red Kimball and attacked the
stage. You'll be cleared of all that and nobody will want you
arrested."

Willock rose. "Are we going to sleep on this, or shall I answer you
now?" he demanded fixedly.

Wilfred hastily asked for time.

They passed the night in the mountain-top, but Willock had spoken
truly; there were no old days. The one subject forbidden was the only
subject in their minds. All attempts at reminiscence, at irrelevant
anecdotes, were mere pretense. The fact that Wilfred and Lahoma were
now married seemed to banish events of a month ago as if they were
years and years in the past.

They partook of breakfast in the gray dawn of the new day, eating by
lantern-light. And when the light had been extinguished, Willock, like
a wild animal brought to bay, squared his shoulders against the wall,
and said: "We've slept on it. Say all you got to say. Don't leave
out nothing because you might be sorry, afterwards. Speak together, or
one at a time, it's all the same to me. And when you're done, and say
you're done, I'll do my talking, according."

And when they were done, and said they were done, he straightened
himself and said:

"When Red Kimball's band give themselves to the law that done nothing
to them, there might of been a man, one of 'em, that never come in out
of the rain. I ain't saying I am that man, for I stands by the records
and the proofs and the showings of man and man, technical and
arbitrary. But in due time, the governor of Texas he says that that
man--whoever he may be--was no longer to be excused on the grounds that
he done his operating in No-Man's Land and his residing in the state of
Texas. And he said that there man would be held responsible for all
the deeds done by Red Kimball's band. That word has been handed down.
Now whether I'm that man, or just thought to be that man, makes little
difference. I'm a fugitive on the face of the earth without an ark of
safety--referring to my cove. That's ME.

"Now look at LAHOMA. She has folks, not meaning you, Wilfred, but
Boston kin that stands high. A woman ain't nothing without family, out
in the world. You're going to be a great man some day, if I don't miss
my guess, a great man in Oklahoma government a