t ahead toward the dark streak which marked the drop from the
prairie land to the bed of the Mosquito River. "Still, it's li'ble to
come along right smart."

The man's suggestion puzzled Tresler, but he waited. His own mind was
clear as to what he personally intended, but it seemed to him that Joe
was troubled with other thoughts besides the main object of his
discourse. And it was these very side issues that he was keen to
learn. However, whatever Joe thought, whatever confusion or perplexity
he might have been in, he suddenly returned to his main theme with
great warmth of feeling.

"But when it comes, Tresler, you'll stand by? You'll plug hard fer
her, jest as ef it was you he was tryin' to do up? You'll stop him?
Say, you'll jest round that gal up into your own corrals, an' set your
own brand on her quick, eh? That's what I'm askin'."

"I see. Marry her, eh?"

"An' why not?" asked Joe quickly. "She's a heap too good fer you.
Ther' ain't a feller breathin' amounts to a row o' beans aside o' her.
But it's the on'y way to save her from Jake. You'll do it. Yes, sure,
you'll do it. I ken see it in your face."

The little fellow was leaning over, peering up into Tresler's face
with anxious, almost fierce eyes. His emotion was intense, and at that
moment a refusal would have driven him to despair.

"You are too swift for me, Joe," Tresler said quietly. But his tone
seemed to satisfy his companion, for the latter sat back in his saddle
with a sigh of relief. "It takes the consent of two people to make a
marriage. However," he went on, with deep earnestness, "I'll promise
you this, Miss Marbolt shall never marry Jake unless it is her own
wish to do so. And, furthermore, she shall never lack a friend, ready
to act on her behalf, while I am in the country."

"You've said it."

And the finality of Joe's tone brought silence.

In spite of the punishment he knew to be awaiting him, Joe was utterly
happy. It was as though a weight, which had been oppressing him for
years, had suddenly been lifted from his shoulders. He would
cheerfully have ridden on to any terror ever conceived by the ruthless
Jake. Diane's welfare--Diane's happiness; it was the key-note of his
life. He had watched. He knew. Tresler was willing enough to marry
her, and she--he chuckled joyfully to himself.

"Jake ain't a dorg's chance--a yaller dorg's chance. When the
'tenderfoot' gits good an' goin' he'll choke the life out o' Master
Jake. Gee!"