e erlong
with me fo' a spell?"

He made his way through the opening group. Sam followed with the assayer
who now began to realize that Sandy's interference had established a
friendship that would continue protective. They met Mormon, almost
purple in the face from suppressed feelings. Young Ed Bailey eyed Sandy
with awe and new respect. Miranda Bailey's attempt to learn exactly what
had happened was thwarted by Sandy's presentation of Westlake. During
the introduction Mormon slipped away. Roaring Russell was endeavoring to
readjust his swagger when the stout cowboy met him.

"I was with the lady," said Mormon. "Consequent I c'udn't git here
sooner. You said you c'ud lick any one in the camp one-handed, guns
barred. Now I don't like the way you apologized, sabe? It warn't willin'
enough, nor elegant enough, nor spontaneous enough. Ter-night, after I
git through showin' the lady around the diggin's, I'll meet you where
you say for fun, money or marbles, an' argy with you barehanded.
Thisaway."

He slapped Russell on the cheek. The bully roared and the crowd stepped
back. Mormon, with the surprising alertness he showed in action, for all
his bulk and weight, sprang back, poised for strike or clutch. Miranda
Bailey came with a rush and stepped between the two men. Russell
foresaw a laugh at his expense and curbed himself, the sooner for his
new-found consideration for Sandy's gunplay.

"You ought to be ashamed of yoreselves, both of you," exclaimed the
spinster. "I'll have no one fightin' over me. I can take care of
myself."

"Yes, m'm, I reckon you can. I reckon we are ashamed," said Mormon
meekly, as the crowd roared in laughter that died away before the evenly
swung gaze of Sandy, backed by Sam. Russell slipped off and the men
dispersed. Miranda addressed Mormon.

"I'll not have you fighting with that hulkin' brute on my account," she
said. "Do you understand?"

Mormon gulped. He seemed summoning his courage, gripping it with both
hands.

"Marm," he said desperately, "you can't stop me."

The spinster gasped, met his eyes, flushed and turned away. Sam nudged
Mormon with elbow to ribs.

"You dog-gone ol' desperado," he said in a whisper. "I didn't think you
had it in you. That the way you treated the first three?"

"No, it ain't," said Mormon, mopping his forehead. "And she ain't the
same kind they was, neither. Come on, or we'll lose 'em."

CHAPTER XII

WHITE GOLD

"It was mighty decent of you