Ike nodded gravely.

"Yes, she's gone. But she'll be all right. The preacher's there. He'll
be busy with the old man, of course, but he'll find some time for her.
And then there's the other chap, you know. He's been mighty kind
to-day, mighty kind, and considerable, too. Can't say as I'd just
cotton to him, but when he likes he's ingraciousin' ways, mighty
ingraciousin' ways."

"Oh!" roared The Kid. "Crawley" Then he looked at his cowboy's face.
"Confound you, Ike! So you were pulling my leg a little, were you?
Never mind, my day will come."

With this he turned the Swallow toward the Lake and set off.

"Good-bye," called out Ike. "Where you going?"

"Oh, I say," cried The Kid, wheeling the Swallow.

"What trail did they take?"

"You mean Crawley?" inquired Ike.

With a curse The Kid bore down upon him.

"Which way did they go?" he demanded.

"Okanagan trail," said Ike, with a slow grin. "So long."

"Good-bye, Ike. You'll see me when I come back."

And The Kid waved his hand, and gave the Swallow her head.

Ike looked after him, and allowed himself the very, unusual indulgence
of a hearty laugh.

"Well," he said, "I tried to help Crawley a little, but somehow it
didn't seem to go right."

A tail chase is a long chase, and so The Kid found it, for the speed
and endurance of the Swallow were both fully tested before the advance
party were overtaken.

As he came in sight of them he pulled himself up with the question,
"What am I doing here? What is my business with that party?" For a mile
or so he rode slowly, keeping out of their sight, trying to find such
answer to this question as would satisfy not so much himself but those
before him, to whom, somehow, he felt an answer was due. The difficulty
of explaining his presence became sensibly greater as he pictured
himself attempting to make it clear to Crawley.

"It is none of his business, anyway," at length he said impatiently.
"She doesn't want him around. How did he know?"

Crawley was a man of some parts. He had money and ability. He was a
scholar, and could talk well about rocks and plants. The Kid had heard
him discourse to the Old Prospector and Marion many a day on these
subjects, and intelligently, too.

"Well," he said at length, "I may be of some use, anyway. Surely a
fellow has a right to offer his services to his friends in trouble."

With this explanation on his lips he sailed down upon the company.
Marion and the half-breed were rid