y and
drops to steps. Jess, seeing his exhaustion, shows sympathy.
Asks if he is hungry. He looks up and nods. She looks at him
a moment as if estimating his character and then asks him
into the house. He holds back, hesitating a moment, then
weakly follows her in.

8--Kitchen of ranch house--

Jess places chair beside table and asks Steve to sit down.
He watches her with evident but respectful admiration as she
brings food and pours cup of coffee. She watches him
sympathetically as he eats. Presently he looks up at her,
then around, and points toward door. He questions her. She
shakes head negatively, looking at him steadily.

_Leader--_

"THE MEN ARE ALL AWAY. FATHER'S GONE TO GET ICE FOR MY SICK
SISTER"

Back to scene.

Jess watches him closely as she speaks. He shows only look
of relief. He questions her again. She points to door
leading to bedroom. He looks toward door and she crosses to
it, pushing it softly open. She turns and signs for him to
look inside. She herself stands in doorway as he passes her
and goes into room.

9--Bedroom, same as 4--

Steve moves past Jess into room, crossing to bedside.
Genuine sympathy in his expression as he looks at child and
notes her fevered condition. He places hand on child's
forehead and shakes his head. Looks toward Jess, standing in
doorway, then goes out following her back into--

10--Kitchen, same as 8--

He sits down on chair; evidently he is greatly touched by
the child's condition and Jess's helplessness. Suddenly he
springs up excitedly and turns to Jess, speaking rapidly.

_Leader--_

"THERE'S ICE NEARER THAN PINEDALE. WITH A SPARE HORSE, I'LL
GET YOU PLENTY INSIDE OF AN HOUR"

Back to scene.

Jess looks at him in astonishment and questions him. He
emphatic in repeating what he has said. He asks about horse,
pointing to outer door. As Jess leads way, Steve picks up
hat and follows her out.

11--Exterior, at door of stable--

Jess standing holding Steve's horse. Steve comes from stable
leading another horse, with couple of large saddle-bags,
pick, and short-handled shovel, on its back. He points to
these and mounts his horse. Jess smiles gratefully, then
looks grave again. He reaches down and just touches her
reassuringly on the shoulder. Then he rid