ion that you ain't tickled half to death
to see me."

"We were always friends, but I can't say that either Nellie or I am
glad to meet you under the circumstances; for in truth, we have been
doing all we could to prevent such a meeting."

"Things has that look," added Vose, standing on guard as may be said,
for he was not free from misgiving concerning the young lieutenant
whom he had managed to run down. His positive orders forbade him to
assume the aggressive, but no one could forbid him to defend himself,
and he did not mean that this handsome officer should catch him
unprepared.

"Whom have you with you?" asked Russell.

"The captain, Wade Ruggles and the parson."

"What we suspected; I presume no one of the three feels specially
affectionate toward me."

"It is all the captain can do to prevent the other two from quarrelin'
as to which shall have the first chance to shoot you."

"Why does Captain Dawson prevent them?"

"'Cause he means to have the first chance himself."

"How about _you_?" grimly asked Lieutenant Russell.

"I'm left."

"How's that?"

"A low down trick was played onto me; as near as I can find out, the
captain comes first, Wade and the parson next and me fourth. You can
see for yourself that there won't be any chance at all left for me
after them three is through."

"It doesn't look so,--that's a fact. But where are the three?"

"Along the main trail, down in the kenyon."

"Why did they not come with you?"

"I advised 'em to wait till I found out how the land laid and they
won't leave the spot till I get back."

Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought that flashed
upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a prisoner? The loss of his services
to the party would be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding
place of the fugitives never would have become known to them without
the help of the guide. It was a daring scheme, but there were so many
objections to carrying it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth
he thought of a much better plan.

"You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the four men--for I may
as well include yourself--feel bitterer toward me than I suspected: do
you think this enmity of theirs will last?"

"Not for long."

"How long?"

"They'll let up as soon as you're shot."

Lieutenant Russell could not restrain a smile at this way of putting
it, while Nellie was so horrified that she gasped and stared and
listened in silence.

"Ther