nted actively, and began to round up the scattered animals brought
into camp by his partners.

He had barely ridden clear of the crowd when his glance was caught by a
figure off to the left.

It was Beth. She was standing on a packing case, where the surging
disorder had sent her. She had seen it all, the fight, his arrival,
and the woman who would have clasped him in her arms.

Her face was flushed. She avoided his gaze and turned to descend to
the walk. Then Bostwick, in his convict suit, stepped actively forward
to meet her.

Van saw the look of surprise in her face, at beholding the man in this
attire. She recoiled, despite herself, then held forth her hand for
his aid. Bostwick took it, assisted her down, and they hastily made
their escape.

CHAPTER XII

BOSTWICK LOSES GROUND

The one retreat for Beth was the house where she was lodging. She went
there at once, briefly explaining to Bostwick on the way how it chanced
she had come the day before. What had happened to himself she already
knew.

Bostwick was a thoroughly angered man. He had seen the horseman in the
fight and had hoped to see him slain. To find Beth safe and even
cheerful here annoyed him exceedingly.

"Have you lodged a complaint--done anything to have this fellow
arrested?" he demanded, alluding to Van. "Have you reported what was
done to me?"

"Why, no," said Beth. "What's the use? He did it all in kindness,
after all."

"Kindness!"

"Of a sort--a rough sort, perhaps, but genuine--a kindness to me--and
Elsa," she answered, flushing rosily. "He saved me from----" she
looked at the convict garb upon him, "--from a disagreeable experience,
I'm sure, and secured me the very best accommodations in the town."

They had almost come to her lodgings. Bostwick halted in the road, his
gun-metal jaw protruding formidably.

"You haven't already begun to admire this ruffian--glorify this
outlaw?" he growled, "--after what he did to me?"

"Don't stop to discuss it here," she answered, beholding Mrs. Dick at
the front of the house. "I haven't had time to do anything. You must
manage to change your clothes."

"I'll have my reckoning with your friend," he assured her angrily.
"Have you engaged a suite for me?"

They had come to the door of the house. Beth beheld the look of
amazement, suspicion, and repugnance on the face of Mrs. Dick, and her
face burned red once more.

"Oh, Mrs. Dick," she said, "this is Mr. Bostwic