s's temper had had ample provocation and now stood naked and hot
in his hard eyes. In a blind instant he laid his tongue to a word
which would have sent Bud Lee at his throat. But Judith stood between
them and, like an echo to the word, came the resounding slap as
Judith's open palm smote Trevors's cheek.

"You wildcat!" he cried. And his two big hands flew out, seeking her
shoulders.

"Stand back!" called Judith. "Just because you are bigger than I am,
don't make any mistake! Stand back, I tell you!"

Bud Lee marvelled at the swiftness with which her hand had gone into
her blouse and out again, a small-caliber revolver in the steady
fingers now. He had never known a man--himself possibly
excepted--quicker at the draw.

But Bayne Trevors, from whose make-up cowardice had been omitted,
laughed sneeringly at her and did not stand back. His two hands out
before him, his face crimson, he came on.

"Fool!" cried the girl. "Fool!"

Still he came on. Lee gathered himself to spring.

Judith fired. Once, and Trevors's right arm fell to his side. A
second time, and Trevors's left arm hung limp like the other. The
crimson was gone from his face now. It was dead white. Little beads
of sweat began to form on his brow.

Lee turned astonished eyes to Judith.

"Now you know who's running this outfit, don't you?" she said coolly.
"Lee, have a team hitched up to carry Trevors wherever he wants to go.
He's not hurt much; I just winged him. And then tell the cook about my
breakfast."

But Lee stood and looked at her. He had no remark to offer. Then he
turned to go upon her bidding. As he went down to the bunk-house he
said softly under his breath: "Well, I'm damned. I most certainly am!"

III

AND RIDES AN OUTLAW

Wrinkled, grizzled old half-breed Jose, his hands trembling with
eagerness, stood in the smaller rose-garden culling the perfect buds, a
joyous tear running its zigzag way down each cheek.

"_La senorita_ ees come home!" he announced triumphantly as Lee drew
near on his way to the bunk-house. "_Jesus Maria_! Een my heart it is
like the singing of leetle birdies. _Mira, senor_. My flowers
bloomin' the brighter, already--no?"

Bud Lee paused. "So you know Miss Sanford then?" he asked.

Jose threw out his hands and opened his night-black eyes to their most
enormous extent. "Do I know God?" he demanded.

"Well," smiled Bud, "as to that. . . ."

"But, senor," cried the devout Jose