e Rachael, and somewhere Daniel
snored, and here I conned her face and her words, elatedly finding them
very pleasing.

Salt Lake was far, the Big Tent farther by perspective if not by miles. I
recognized the legal rights of her husband, but no ruffling Daniel should
quash the undeniable rights of Yours Truly. I indeed felt virtuous and
passing valorous, with that commonplace note in my pocket.

We all broke camp at sunrise. She rode for a distance upon the seat of
Daniel's wagon--he lustily trudging alongside. Then I marked her walking,
herself; she had shortened her skirt; and presently lingering by the trail
she dropped behind, leaving the wagon to lumber on, with Daniel helplessly
turning head over shoulder, bereft.

"Bet you the lady up yonder is aimin' to pay you a visit," quoth friend
Jenks the astute. "And Dan'l, he don't cotton to it. You ain't great
shakes with a gun, I reckon?"

"I've never had use for one," said I. "But her whereabouts in the train is
not a matter of shooting, is it?"

"A feller quick on the draw, like him, is alluz wantin' to practice, to
keep his hand in. Anyhow I'd advise you to stay clear of her, else watch
him mighty sharp. He's thinkin' of takin' a squaw."

We rolled on, in the dust, while the animals coughed and the teamsters
chewed and swore. And next, here she was, idling until our outfit drew
abreast.

"Mornin'," Jenks grunted, with a shortness that bespoke his disapproval;
whereupon he fell back and left us.

She smiled at me.

"Will you offer me a ride, sir?"

My response was instant: a long "Whoa-oa!" in best mule-whacker. The
eight-team hauled negligent, their mulish senses steeped in the drudgery
of the trail; only the wheel pair flopped inquiring ears. When I hailed
again, Jenks came puffing.

"What's the matter hyar?" He ran rapid eye over wagon and animals and saw
nothing amiss.

"Mrs. Montoyo wishes to ride."

"The hell, man!" He snatched whip and launched it, up the faltering team.
The cracker popped an inch above the off lead mule's cringing haunch
twenty feet before. "You can't stop hyar! Can't hold the rest of the
train. Joe! Baldy! Hep with you!" The team straightened out; he restored
me the whip. His wrath subsided, for in less dudgeon he addressed her.

"Want to ride, do ye?"

"I did, sir."

"Wall, in Gawd's name ride, then. But we don't stop for passengers."

With that, in another white heat he had picked her up bodily, swung her
upon the nea