the run was spent on the steep slope back of the house and
the herd split into detachments and moved off through the hills.

The west side of the house was windowless, a blank wall built against
the standing winds. Waddles was busily engaged in knocking out a patch
of chinking and endeavoring to work a loophole between the logs.
Harris was similarly engaged between two windows which overlooked the
blacksmith shop, storerooms and saddle room that formed a solid line of
buildings a hundred yards to the east. She reflected hazily that there
was little cause for such petty activity when the worst had happened
and the Three Bar had suffered an irreparable loss.

Harris pointed down the valley to the south and she turned mechanically
and crossed to that window. A few riders showed on the ridges on
either flank of the valley.

"They were cached up there to pick us off if we rode down to try and
turn the run," he said. "If it had been light they might have opened
on the wagons. But they knew the rest hadn't started the cows."

She nodded without apparent interest. What might transpire now seemed
a matter to be viewed with indifference.

"It's time for me to go," Harris said. "I'll hold the bunk house.
Good luck, Billie--we'll hold 'em off."

He turned to Waddles who still worked to make a loophole through the
blank wall.

"If it gets too hot put her outside and tell her to give herself up.
Even Lang would know that the whole country would be hunting them
to-morrow if they touched her. They won't if they can help it. But
this is their last hope--to trust in one final raid. They'll go
through with it. Make her go outside if it comes to that."

He opened the door and leaped across the twenty yards of open space
which separated the main building from the bunk house. The fact that
no rifle balls searched for him as he sprang inside was sufficient
testimony that the raiders who might be posted in the hills back of the
house were not yet within easy range. He barred the door and looked
from the south window. The riders along the valley rims had descended
to the bottoms. Smoke was already rising from one homestead cabin and
they were riding toward the rest. Two men had dismounted by the head
gate.

Harris cursed himself for not having anticipated this very thing. The
whole plan was clear to him. Slade would have known of the implements
at the railroad waiting to be freighted in. He would have known, too,