r. She'll git over thet. All we can do now
is to watch her an' keep her from doin' herself harm. Take her in an'
lay her down."

For two days and nights Neale watched over her, except for the hours
she slept, when he divided his vigil with King. She had periods of
consciousness, in which she knew Neale, but most of the time she raved
or tossed or moaned or lay like one dead. On the third day, however.
Neale felt encouraged. She awoke weak and somber, but quiet and
rational. Neale talked earnestly to her, in as sensible a way as he knew
how, speaking briefly of the tragic fate that had been hers, bidding her
force it out of her mind by taking interest in her new surroundings. She
listened to him, but did not seem impressed. It was a difficult matter
to get her to eat. She did not want to move. At length Neale told her
that he must go back to the camp of the engineers, where he had work to
do; he promised that he would return to see her soon and often. She did
not speak or raise her eyes when he left her.

Outside, when Red brought up the horses, Slingerland said to Neale: "See
hyar, son, I reckon you needn't worry. She'll come around all right."

"Shore she will," corroborated the cowboy. "Time'll cure her. I'm from
Texas, whar sudden death is plentiful in all families."

Neale shook his head. "I'm not so sure," he said. "That girl's more
sensitively and delicately organized than you fellows see. I doubt
if she'll ever recover from the shock. It'll take a mighty great
influence.... But let's hope for the best. Now, Slingerland, take care
of her as best you can. Shut her in when you leave camp. I'll ride over
as often as possible. If she gets so she will talk, then we can find out
if she has any relatives, and if so I'll take her to them. If not I'll
do whatever else I can for her."

"Wal, son, I like the way you're makin' yourself responsible fer thet
kid," replied the trapper. "I never had no wife nor daughter. But I'm
thinkin'--wouldn't it jest be hell to be a girl--tender an' young an'
like Neale said--an' sudden hev all you loved butchered before your
eyes?"

"It shore would," said Red, feelingly. "An' thet's what she sees all the
time."

"Slingerland, do we run any chance of meeting Indians?" queried Neale.

"I reckon not. Them Sioux will git fur away from hyar after thet
massacre. But you want to keep sharp eyes out, an' if you do meet any,
jest ride an' shoot your way through. You've the best horses I've