handsome face with a lock of jet black hair
falling over the forehead. Calder knew men, and now he felt a strange
absence of any desire to attempt a gun-play.

"I was just taking a stroll through the willows," he said, with a
mighty attempt at carelessness.

"Oh," said the other. "It appeared to me you was sort of huntin' for
something. You was headed straight for my hoss."

Calder strove to find some way out. He could not. There was no waver
in the hand that held that black gun. The brown eyes were decidedly
discouraging to any attempt at a surprise. He felt helpless for the
first time in his career.

"Go over to him, Bart," said the gentle voice of the stranger. "Stand
fast!"

The last two words, directed to Calder came, with a metallic hardness,
for the marshal started as a great black dog slipped from behind a
tree and slunk towards him. This was the shadow which moved more
swiftly and noiselessly than a human being.

"Keep back that damned wolf," he said desperately.

"He ain't goin' to hurt you," said the calm voice. "Jest toss your gun
to the ground."

There was nothing else for it. Calder dropped his weapon with the butt
towards Whistling Dan.

"Bring it here, Bart," said the latter.

The big animal lowered his head, still keeping his green eyes upon
Calder, took up the revolver in his white fangs, and glided back to
his master.

"Jest turn your back to me, an' keep your hands clear of your body,"
said Dan.

Calder obeyed, sweating with shame. He felt a hand pat his pockets
lightly in search for a hidden weapon, and then, with his head
slightly turned, he sensed the fact that Dan was dropping his revolver
into its holster. He whirled and drove his clenched fist straight at
Dan's face.

What happened then he would never forget to the end of his life.
Calder's weapon still hung in Dan's right hand, but the latter made no
effort to use it. He dropped the gun, and as Calder's right arm shot
out, it was caught at the wrist, and jerked down with a force that
jarred his whole body.

"Down, Bart!" shouted Dan. The great wolf checked in the midst of his
leap and dropped, whining with eagerness, at Calder's feet. At the
same time the marshal's left hand was seized and whipped across his
body. He wrenched away with all his force. He might as well have
struggled with steel manacles. He was helpless, staring into eyes
which now glinted with a yellow light that sent a cold wave tingling
through his blood.