g shots came back at the swaying avenger.

Farley fell upon his back, with his arms outflung crosswise and his
glazing eyes upturned. As he lived, so he had died--futilely. Yet he had
at least made the attempt to rise above his weakness and degeneracy. He
had died like a man.

Slade stood at the end of the table, mopping the base of his neck with
his dirty neckerchief. The rifle had missed his jugular vein by little
more than an inch. He cauterized the wound with sangre de dragon sap,
cursing blasphemously and barking commands at the Navahos.

Pete ran to signal from the nearest window. His companion hurried to
make certain that Farley was dead. Slade shouldered past the half-bound
Carmena and came to stare gloatingly down at Lennon. Between his thick
legs Lennon saw Carmena twist about and roll over toward her
terror-stricken sister. Slade was too intent upon mocking his other
prisoner to look about at the girls.

"Well, son, you seen what happened to Dad, trying to murder his pard,"
he admonished. "Hope it'll be a warning to you. I'm a peaceful man. I
got to have law and order. Cochise ripped loose with his bunch. You seen
how I smashed his play. 'Fore night my Navahos'll clean up what's left
of 'em all."

Lennon choked down his rage and loathing. Not he alone was in the power
of this brutal scoundrel. For the sake of the girls he must play for
time.

"Yes, to be sure!" he said. "That was clever generalship on your part,
Slade. As for Farley--you of course had to shoot him, in self-defense.
But now all is settled. You will keep your word to go through with your
bargain."

"I will, will I, huh?"

"How else? We have had our little misunderstandings. But you are a white
man and you gave your word to go through with our deal."

The trader's face blackened with a ferocious scowl.

"Try to be funny with me, will you? I'll skin you alive!"

"You misunderstood me, quite," said Lennon, soothingly. "How could I
think other than that you intend to keep your bargain. I mentioned it
because I wish to suggest an addition to the terms. If you will release
Carmena and postpone your marriage to Elsie until we can get a license
and a minister, I shall be pleased to give five thousand toward the
bride's trousseau."

For a long moment Slade stood glowering, morosely suspicious of the
proposal. When he sensed its precise meaning, he burst into mocking
laughter.

"So that's what you're after, huh? Think you can bribe me, d