riend, with all your wisdom, seem to have
overlooked." He smiled up into Peter's face. "First, the man who goes
must ride light. You can't be accused of that. You see, we've sure got
to get there first. My plug's been out all day, and has only had about
four hours' rest. I can get the most out of him the easiest. Then, you
see, you're known to be in town, and if you pike the trail to-night
folks'll get guessing. Then, you see, it's my business to be out--they
expect it of me. Then--if things go wrong--which I don't guess they
will--my name stinks a bit around here, and, well, a bit more or less
don't cut any ice. Then there's another thing--Elia. You've got to
keep a close eye on him, sure. If they get at him--well---- Anyway,
that's what I can't do under the circumstances."

Peter's face grew almost stern as he listened to the marshaling of the
man's arguments. Jim saw his look and understood. But he had clearly
made up his mind.

"It's no use, Peter. You can't have that horse. I'm going to get the
saddle on."

He rose to go. But the big man suddenly barred his way. His face was
stern and set--something like a thunder-cloud seemed to have settled
upon his kindly brow.

"Hold on. I'll allow your arguments are mostly clear. Guess you'll
have to go. But I want to tell you this, Jim. If things go wrong,
I'll--I'll shoot the man that lays hands on you. I'll shoot him
dead!"

But Eve was on her feet at Jim's side, and her soft hands were
gripping his arm with a nervous clutch.

"No, no, Jim," she cried, with tears in her eyes. "You--you mustn't
go. I see it now. I didn't see it before. You--you are branded now,
and--and you're going to help him. Oh, Jim, you mustn't! We had no
right to ask for your horse. Indeed, indeed we hadn't. You mustn't go.
Neither of you must. No, please, please stay. It means hanging if you
are----"

"Don't you say anything more, Eve," Jim said, gently but firmly
releasing himself from her hold. "I've thought of all those things.
Besides, you must never forget that Will--is my cousin."

But Peter could stand no more.

"Come on," he said, almost roughly. "It's late enough already. Maybe
they'll be starting directly. Here, Elia, you tell us just where
Will's in hiding, and mind you don't miss anything."

It took barely five minutes for Elia to give the required directions
again, which he did ungraciously enough. But Peter verified his
account with the original story, and was satisfied.