s a
little bit of a trick. I wouldn't do her a meanness. It ain't
reasonable, now, is it?"

The man fawned on Roy. His hands were shaking with fear. If it would
have done any good, he would have fallen on his knees and wept. The
sight of him made Roy sick. Was this the way _he_ looked when the
yellow streak was showing?

"Jump into that pit," he ordered in disgust. "That is, unless you'd
rather I would call Rutherford."

Meldrum shambled to the edge, sat down, turned, and slid into the
prospect hole.

"I know it's only yore little joke, Mr. Beaudry," he whined. "Mebbe I
ain't jest been neighborly with you-all, but what I say is let bygones
be bygones. I'm right sorry. I'll go down with you to Battle Butte
and tell the boys I done wrong."

"No, you'll stay here."

Beaudry turned away. The muffled scream of the bad man followed him as
far as the aspens.

Chapter XXV

Two and a Camp-Fire

Roy worked his way through the aspens and returned to the place where
he had left Beulah. She was still sleeping soundly and did not stir at
his approach. Quietly he built a fire and heated water for coffee.
From his saddlebags he took sandwiches wrapped in a newspaper. Beside
the girl he put his canteen, a pocket comb, a piece of soap, and the
bandanna he wore around his neck. Then, reluctantly, he awakened her.

"Supper will be served in just five minutes," he announced with a smile.

She glanced at the scant toilet facilities and nodded her head
decisively. "Thank you, kind sir. I'll be on hand."

The young woman rose, glanced in the direction of the aspens, gathered
up the supplies, and fled to the grove. The eyes of Beaudry followed
her flight. The hour of sleep had been enough to restore her
resilience. She moved with the strong lightness that always reminded
him of wild woodland creatures.

In spite of her promise Beulah was away beyond the time limit. Beaudry
became a little uneasy. It was not possible, of course, that Meldrum
could have escaped from the pit. And yet--

He called to her. "Is every little thing all right, neighbor?"

"All right," she answered.

A moment later she emerged from the aspens and came toward the camp.
She was panting a little, as if she had been running.

"Quite a hill," he commented.

She gave him a quick glance. There was in it shy curiosity, but her
dark eyes held, too, an emotion more profound.

"Yes," she said. "It makes one breathe fast."