ven if I did
not straightway look; in this he was most faithful, with sundry
flourishes babying me by thinking to intimidate.

Withal he gave me never excuse of ending him or placating him, but shifted
upon me the burden of choosing time and spot.

Once, indeed, we near had it. That was on an early morning. He was driving
in a yoke of oxen that had strayed, and he stopped short in passing where
I was busied with gathering our mules.

"Say, Mister, I want a word with yu," he demanded.

"Well, out with it," I bade; and my heart began to thump. Possibly I
paled, I know that I blinked, the sun being in my eyes.

He laughed, and spat over his shoulder, from the saddle.

"Needn't be skeered. I ain't goin' to hurt ye. I 'laow yu expected to make
up to that woman, didn't yu, 'fore this?"

"What woman?" I encouraged; but I was wondering if my revolver was loose.

"Edna. 'Cause if yu did, 'tain't no use, Mister. Why," indulgently, "yu
couldn't marry her--yu couldn't marry her no more'n yu could kill me.
Yu're a Gentile, an' yu'd be bustin' yore own laws. But thar ain't no
Gentile laws for the Lord's an'inted; so I thought I'd tell yu I'm liable
to marry her myself. Yu've kep' away from her consider'ble; this is to
tell yu yu mought as well keep keepin' away."

"I sha'n't discuss Mrs. Montoyo with you, sir," I broke, cold, instead of
hot, watching him very narrowly (as I had been taught to do), my hand
nerved for the inevitable dart. "But I am her friend--her friend, mind
you; and if she is in danger of being imposed upon by you, I stand ready
to protect her. For I want you to know that I'm not afraid of you, day or
night. Why, you low dog----!" and I choked, itching for the crisis.

He gawked, reddening; his right hand quivered; and to my chagrin he slowly
laughed, scanning me.

"I seen yu practicin'. Go ahead. I wouldn't kill yu _naow_. Or if yu want
practice in 'arnest, start to draw." He waited a moment, in easy
insolence. I did not draw. "Let yore dander cool. Thar's no use yu tryin'
to buck the Mormons. I've warned ye." And he passed on, cracking his
lash.

Suddenly I was aware that, as seemed, every eye in the camp had been
fastened upon us two. My fingers shook while with show of nonchalance I
resumed adjusting the halters.

"Gosh! Looked for a minute like you and him was to have it out proper,"
Jenks commented, matter of fact, when I came in. "Hazin' you a bit, was
he? What'd he say?"

"He warned me to ke