r.

"Yes; and he seemed to feel it, too. He had to do as I do, fire up with
something strong to get life into his veins."

"Poor fellow! He had better have staid East when he was there, away from
this wild and lawless section."

"Stranger, there mayn't be much _law_ out this way, but justice isn't
always blind out here. If you stay long enough, you may learn that."

"Very likely; but you spoke of going to those Black Hills."

"Yes, I'm going."

"Will you let me go with you?"

"You don't look much like roughing it, and the trip is not only hard,
but it may be dangerous. The redskins are beginning to act wolfish on
the plains."

"I think I can stand as much hardship as you. You are light and
slender."

"But tough as an old buffalo bull, for all that. I've been brought up in
the saddle, with rifle and lasso in hand. I'm used to wind and weather,
sunshine and storm--they're all alike to me."

"And Indians?"

"Yes--to Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache. But these Cheyennes and Sioux are
a tougher breed, they tell me. I'll soon learn them too, I reckon.
There's one thing sure, I don't go in no crowd of twenty or thirty, with
wagons or pack mules along to tempt the cusses with, while they make the
travel slow. You want either a big crowd or a very small one, if you
travel in an Indian country.

"You have not answered my question yet. Will you let me go through to
the Black Hills with you?"

"Why don't you go with the other party? They'll take you, I'll bet."

"I do not want to go where Wild Bill will see me. He may think his wife
has sent me as a spy on his movements and actions."

"His _wife!_ Is he married? It must be something new."

"It is. He was married only a short time ago to a woman who almost
worships him. She did all she could to keep him from going out into his
old life again, but she could not."

"You _can_ go with me!" said the other, abruptly, after a keen and
searching look in the traveler's face.

"What is your name?"

"Willie Pond."

"Rather a _deep_ Pond, if I know what water is," said the auburn-haired
man, to himself, and then he asked, in a louder tone, "have you horse
and arms?"

"No; I just came on the train from the East. But there is money--buy me
a good horse, saddle, and bridle. I'll see to getting arms."

And Mr. Willie Pond handed the other a five-hundred dollar treasury
note.

"You don't ask my name, and you trust me with money as if you knew I was
honest."

"You'll tel