w-down game he wudn't take a hand in fer a drink. His name wus
Gaskins; I hed him up fer mayhem onct. I'll bet he's the duck, for he
hung round Jack's place most o' the time. Whatcha want me ter do?"

"It has seemed to me, Tim," I said, thoughtfully, "that the best action
for us to take will be to let them place the girl in my hands, just as
they have planned to do. That will throw them entirely off their
guard. As things stand, I have no knowledge where she is concealed, or
where to hunt for her; but it is evident she is in no immediate danger.
They don't dare to force action here, in this camp. Once we succeed in
getting her safely away, and remain unknown ourselves, there ought to
be very little trouble in straightening out the whole matter. My plan
would be to either ride around the camp in the night, and then report
the whole affair at headquarters, or else to strike out direct for Fort
Armstrong across country. The Indians will all be cleaned out north of
here, and they know me at Armstrong. Do you know any place you can
pick up a horse?"

"Thar's a slew ov 'em round yere," he admitted. "These fellers are
most all hoss-soldiers. I reckon I cud cinch sum sort o' critter. Yer
want me along?"

"Perhaps not, Tim. Your disappearance might cause suspicion, and send
them after us. My plan is to get away as quietly as possible, and let
them believe everything is all right. I want a day or two in which to
work, before Rale or Kirby discover we have not gone to Bear Creek.
I'll meet them alone at the spring down the trail, but shall want you
somewhere near by. You see this is bound to mean a fight if I am
recognized--likely three against one; and those men wouldn't hesitate
at murder."

"I reckon not, an' it wudn't be their furst one nuther, Looks ter me
like yer wus takin' a big chance. I'll be thar, though; yer kin bet on
thet, an' ready fer a fight, er a foot race. This is how I size it
up--if thar ain't no row, I'm just ter keep still, an' lie low; an' if
a fracas starts I'm ter jump in fer all I'm worth. Is thet the
program?"

"Exactly--that's my idea."

"Wal' then, I'm a prayin' it starts; I want just one crack et thet
Kirby, the ornary cuss."

We talked the whole matter over in detail, having nothing better to do,
and endeavoring to arrange for every probability, yet did not remain
together for long. With my eyes to a chink between the logs I got a
view of the interior of the cabin. The