is, they've got us covered right now. 'Tain't noways
percautious to go ahead--an' we don't dast to go back! Bat, this is a
hell of a place to be--an' it's your fault. Mebbe they won't shoot a
unarmed man--here Bat, you take my gun an' go ahead. I'll tell 'em
back there how you was game to the last. O-O-o-o-o! I got a turrible
cramp in my stummick! I got to lay down. Do your duty, Bat, an' if I
surmise this here attact, which I think it's the appendeetus, I'll tell
'em how you died with yer boots on in the service of yer country." The
man forced his six-shooter into the half-breed's hand and, slipping
limply from his saddle to the ground, wriggled swiftly into the shadow
of a sage bush.

Bat moved his horse slowly forward as he peered about him. "If Purdy
keel de pilgrim, den A'm better look out. He don' lak' me nohow,
'cause A'm fin' out 'bout dat cinch. Better A'm lak' Sam Moore, A'm
git de 'pendeceet in my belly for li'l w'ile." He swung off his horse
and flattening himself against the ground, advanced cautiously from
bush to bush. At the edge of the depression he paused and stared at
the two figures that huddled close together a few feet ahead. Both
were gazing toward the trail and in the moonlight he recognized the
face of the pilgrim. With a smile of satisfaction the half-breed stood
erect and advanced boldly.

"You com' in tam', eh?" he asked, as with a nod Endicott stepped toward
him and handed him the revolver.

"Yes, just in time. I am deeply grateful to you."

"Eh?" The other's brows drew together.

"I say, I thank you--for the gun, and for telling me----"

"Ha, dat's a'right. W'er' Purdy?" The girl shuddered, as Endicott
pointed to the ground at some little distance away. The man advanced
and bent over the prostrate form.

"Ba goss!" he exclaimed with a glance of admiration. "You shoot heem
after de draw! _Nom de Dieu_! You good man wit' de gun! Wer' you hit
heem?"

Endicott shook his head. "I don't know. I saw him, and shot, and he
fell." The half-breed was bending over the man on the ground.

"You shoot heem on he's head," he approved, "dat pret' good place." He
bent lower and a sibilant sound reached the ears of Endicott and the
girl. After a moment the man stood up and came toward them smiling.
"A'm fin' out if she dead," he explained, casually. "A'm speet de
tobac' juice in he's eye. If she wink she ain' dead. Purdy, she don'
wink no mor'. Dat damn good t'ing.