threats; he
had been the aggressor in the trouble at the dance; and the Pilgrim,
in the search men had made immediately after the shooting, had been
found unarmed. The case was very plainly one of self-defense.

Billy, when questioned, repeated the Pilgrim's first words to
him--that the Swede had pulled a knife; and told the jury, on further
questioning, that he had not seen any gun on the ground until after he
had gone for help.

Walland explained satisfactorily to the jury. He may have said knife
instead of gun. He had heard some one say that the Swede carried a
knife, and he had been expecting him to draw one. He was rattled at
first and hardly knew what he did say. He did not remember saying it
was a knife, but it was possible that he had done so. As to Billy's
not seeing any gun at first--they did not question the Pilgrim about
that, because Billy in his haste and excitement could so easily
overlook an object on the ground. They gave a verdict of self-defense
without any discussion, and the Pilgrim continued to be something of a
hero among his fellows.

Billy, as soon as the thing was over, mounted in not quite the best
humor and rode away to join his wagons. He had not ridden to the
Double-Crank to hear Flora talk incessantly of Mr. Walland, and
repeat many times the assertion that she did not see how, under the
circumstances, he could avoid killing the man. Nor had he gone to
watch Mama Joy dimple and frown by turns and give him sidelong glances
which made him turn his head quickly away. He hated to admit to
himself how well he understood her. He did not want to be rude, but
he had no desire to flirt with her, and it made him rage inwardly to
realize how young and pretty she really was, and how, if it were not
for Flora, he might so easily be tempted to meet her at least halfway.
She could not be more than four or five years older than Flora, and
in her large, blonde way she was quite as alluring. Billy wished
profanely that she had gone to Klondyke with her husband, or that
Bridger had known enough about women to stay at home with a wife as
young as she.

He was glad in his heart when came the time to go. Maybe she would get
over her foolishness by the time he came in with the round-up. At any
rate, the combination at the ranch did not tempt him to neglect his
business, and he galloped down the trail without so much as looking
back to see if Flora would wave--possibly because he was afraid he
might catch t