'em like that--no harm done--if you ever do want
anything like that, just come to me--my name's Fairbain--everybody knows
me here--operated on most of 'em--rest expect to be--Damn that engineer.
I don't believe he knows whether he's going ahead or backing up." He
peered out of the window, pressing his face hard against the glass. "I
reckon that's Sheridan he's whistling for now--don't be nervous--I'll
see you make the hotel all right."

Chapter XXI. The Marshal of Sheridan

It was called a depot merely through courtesy, consisting of a layer
of cinders, scattered promiscuously so as to partially conceal the
underlying mud, and a dismantled box car, in which presided ticket
agent and telegrapher. A hundred yards below was the big shack where
the railroad officials lodged. Across the tracks blazed invitingly
the "First Chance" saloon. All intervening space was crowded with men,
surging aimlessly about in the glare of a locomotive head light, and
greeting the alighting passengers with free and easy badinage. Stranger
or acquaintance made no difference, the welcome to Sheridan was noisily
extended, while rough play and hoarse laughter characterized the mass.

Hope paused on the step, even as Dr. Fairbain grasped her hand, dinned
by the medley of discordant sounds, and confused by the vociferous jam
of humanity. A band came tooting down the street in a hack, a fellow,
with a voice like a fog horn, howling on the front seat. The fellows
at the side of the car surged aside to get a glimpse of this new
attraction, and Fairbain, taking quick advantage of the opportunity thus
presented, swung his charge to the cinders below. Bending before her,
and butting his great shoulders into the surging crowd, he succeeded in
pushing a passage through, thus finally bringing her forth to the edge
of the street.

"Hey, there," he said shortly, grabbing a shirt-sleeved individual by
the arm. "Where's Charlie?"

The fellow looked at him wonderingly.

"Charlie? Oh, you mean the 'Kid'? Well, he ain't here ter-night; had a
weddin', an' is totin' the bridal couple 'round."

Fairbain swore discreetly under his breath, and cast an uncertain glance
at the slender figure shrinking beside him. The streets of Sheridan were
not over pleasant at night.

"Only hack in town is somewhere else, Miss," he explained briefly. "I
reckon you and I will have to hoof it."

He felt the grip of her fingers on his sleeve.

"The boys are a little n