ncreasing group, formed now of both men and women collected from all the
camp, maddened. So I would have besought her, pleaded with her, faced
Montoyo for her--but a new voice mediated.

"She shall stay, Hyrum? For the night, at least? I will look after her."

The Captain's younger wife, Rachael, had stepped to him; laid one hand
upon his arm--her smooth hair touched ashine by the firelight as she gazed
up into his face. Pending reply I hastened directly to My Lady herself and
detained her by her jacket sleeve.

"Wait," I bade.

Whereupon we both turned. Side by side we fronted the group as if we might
have been partners--which, in a measure, we were, but not wholy according
to the lout Daniel's cackle and the suddenly interrogating countenances
here and there.

"You would take her in, Rachael?" the Captain rumbled. "Have you not heard
what I said?"

"We are commanded to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless, Hyrum."

"Verily that is so. Take her. I trust you with her till the morning. The
Lord will direct us further. But in God's name clothe her for the daylight
in decency. She shall not advertise her flesh to men's eyes."

"Quick!" I whispered, with a push. Rachael, however, had crossed for us,
and with eyes brimming extended her hand.

"Will you come with me, please?" she invited.

"You are not afraid of me?"

"I? No. You are a woman, are you not?" The intonation was gentle, and
sweet to hear--as sweet as her rosy face to see.

"Yes," sighed My Lady, wearily. "Good-night, sir." She fleetingly smiled
upon me. "I thank you; and Mr. Jenks."

They went, Rachael's arm about her; other women closed in; we heard
exclamations, and next they were supporting her in their midst, for she
had crumpled in a faint.

Captain Adams walked out a piece as if musing. Daniel pressed beside him,
talking eagerly. His voice reached me.

"She's powerful purty, ain't she, paw! Gosh, I never seen a woman in
britches before. Did yu? Paw! She kin ride in my wagon, paw. Be yu goin'
to take her on, paw? If yu be, I got room."

"Go. Tend to your stock and think of other things," boomed his father.
"Remember that the Scriptures say, beware of the scarlet woman."

Daniel galloped away, whooping like an idiot.

"Wall, there she is," my friend Jenks remarked non-committally. "What
next'll happen, we'll see in the mornin'. Either she goes on or she goes
back. I don't claim to read Mormon sign, myself. But she had me jumpin'
side