estly. Shefford walked up and down, hoping to meet
Withers or Joe Lake. Nas Ta Bega said he would take the horses to water
and feed and then return.

There were indications that Stonebridge might experience some of the
excitement and perhaps violence common to towns like Monticello and
Durango. There was only one saloon in Stonebridge, and it was full
of roystering cowboys and horse-wranglers. Shefford saw the bunch of
mustangs, in charge of the same Indian, that belonged to Shadd and
his gang. The men were inside, drinking. Next door was a tavern called
Hopewell House, a stone structure of some pretensions. There were
Indians lounging outside. Shefford entered through a wide door and
found himself in a large bare room, boarded like a loft, with no
ceiling except the roof. The place was full of men and noise. Here he
encountered Joe Lake talking to Bishop Kane and other Mormons. Shefford
got a friendly greeting from the bishop, and then was well received by
the strangers, to whom Joe introduced him.

"Have you seen Withers?" asked Shefford.

"Reckon he's around somewhere," replied Joe. "Better hang up here, for
he'll drop in sooner or later."

"When are you going back to Kayenta?" went on Shefford.

"Hard to say. We'll have to call off our hunt. Nas Ta Bega is here,
too."

"Yes, I've been with him."

The older Mormons drew aside, and then Joe mentioned the fact that he
was half starved. Shefford went with him into another clapboard room,
which was evidently a dining-room. There were half a dozen men at the
long table. The seat at the end was a box, and scarcely large enough or
safe enough for Joe and Shefford, but they risked it.

"Saw you in the hall," said Joe. "Hell--wasn't it?"

"Joe, I never knew how much I dared say to you, so I don't talk much.
But, it was hell," replied Shefford.

"You needn't be so scared of me," spoke up Joe, testily.

That was the first time Shefford had heard the Mormon speak that way.

"I'm not scared, Joe. But I like you--respect you. I can't say so much
of--of your people."

"Did you stick out the whole mix?" asked Joe.

"No. I had enough when--when they got through with Mary." Shefford spoke
low and dropped his head. He heard the Mormon grind his teeth. There was
silence for a little space while neither man looked at the other.

"Reckon the judge was pretty decent," presently said Joe.

"Yes, I thought so. He might have--" But Shefford did not finish that
sentence. "H