l quarters.

She stamped her foot.

"No. I didn't have to. But when he tried to abuse me I defended myself.
Wasn't that right, gentlemen?"

"Right or wrong, he'll be after you, won't he?"

The question held a note of alarm. Her lip curled.

"You needn't fear. I'll meet him, myself."

"By gosh, I don't mix up in no quarrel 'twixt a man and his woman."
And--"'Tain't our affair. When he comes he'll come a-poppin'." Such were
the hasty comments. I felt a peculiar heat, a revulsion of shame and
indignation, which made the present seem much more important than the
past. And there was the recollection of her, crying, and still the accents
of her last appeals in the early morning.

"I thought that I might find men among you," she disdainfully said--a
break in her voice. "So I came. But you're afraid of _him_--of that breed,
that vest-pocket killer. And you're afraid of me, a woman whose cards are
all on the table. There isn't a one of you--even you, Mr. Beeson, sir,
whom I tried to befriend although you may not know it." And she turned
upon me. "You have not a word to say. I am never going back, I tell you
all. You won't take me, any of you? Very well." She smiled wanly. "I'll
drift along, gentlemen. I'll play the lone hand. Montoyo shall never seize
me. I'd rather trust to the wolves and the Indians. There'll be another
wagon train."

"I am only an employee, madam," I faltered. "If I had an outfit of my own
I certainly would help you."

She flushed painfully; she did not glance at me direct again, but her
unspoken thanks enfolded me.

"Here's the wagon boss," Jenks grunted, and spat. "Mebbe you can throw in
with him. When it comes to supers, that's his say-so. I've all I can tend
to, myself, and I don't look for trouble. I've got no love for Montoyo,
neither," he added. "Damned if I ain't glad you give him a dose."

Murmurs of approval echoed him, as if the tide were turning a little. All
this time--not long, however--Daniel had been sitting his mule, transfixed
and gaping, his oddly wry eyes upon her. Now the large form of Captain
Adams came striding in contentious, through the gathering dusk.

"What's this?" he demanded harshly. "An ungodly woman? I'll have no
trafficking in my train. Get you gone, Delilah. Would you pursue us even
here?"

"I am going, sir," she replied. "I ask nothing from you or
these--gentlemen."

"Them's the two she's after, paw: Jenks an' that greenie," Daniel bawled.
"They know her. S