began, or when it would die, when his own life was as uncertain
that minute as a match-flame in the wind.

Why had they brought him there to show him that burning coal-pit? Not
out of any desire to display the natural wonders of the land. The answer
was in the fact itself. Only the diabolism of a savage mind could
contrive or countenance such barbarity as they had come to submit him
to.

"I lost several head of stock down below here a little way last winter,"
said Kerr. "They crowded out over the fire in a blizzard and broke
through. If a man was to ride in there through ignorance I doubt if he'd
ever be able to get out."

Kerr sat looking speculatively into the glowing pit below, the firelight
red over him in strong contrast of gleam and shadow. Sim Hargus leaned
to look Lambert in the face.

"You said I was to consider the two days I give you was up," said he.

"You understood it right," Lambert told him.

Hargus drew back his fist. Kerr interposed, speaking sharply.

"You'll not hit a man with his arms tied while I'm around, Sim," he
said.

"Let him loose, then--put him down before me on his feet!"

"Leave the kid alone," said Kerr, in his even, provoking voice. "I think
he's the kind of a boy that will take friendly advice if you come up on
the right side of him."

"Don't be all night about it," said Nick Hargus from his place behind
Lambert, breaking silence in sullen voice.

Kerr rode up to Lambert and took hold of his reins, stroking old
Whetstone's neck as if he didn't harbor an unkind thought for either man
or beast.

"It's this way, Duke," he said. "You're a stranger here; the customs of
this country are not the customs you're familiar with, and it's foolish,
very foolish, and maybe dangerous, for you to try to change things
around single-handed and alone. We've used you a little rougher than I
intended the boys to handle you, but you'll get over it in a little
while, and we're going to let you go this time.

"But we're going to turn you loose with the warning once more to clear
out of this country in as straight a line as you can draw, starting
right now, and keeping on till you're out of the state. You'll excuse us
if we keep your gun; you can send me your address when you land, and
I'll ship it to you. We'll have to start you off tied up, too, much as I
hate to do it. You'll find some way to get loose in a little while, I
guess, a man that's as resourceful and original as you."

Tom Hargus