ferry, back there in the river--him an'
his horse both."

Alice did not know that the man was eyeing her keenly to detect
refutation by word or look. She did not know that he was lying. The
events of the night, to the moment of her plunge with the Texan into the
river at the end of the lariat line, stood out in her brain with vivid
distinctness. Purdy believed Tex to have drowned. She did not believe
it, for she knew that if he had not reached shore, she could not
possibly have reached shore. Her brain functioned rapidly. If Tex had
survived he would surely come to her rescue. And, if Purdy believed him
dead so much the better. She raised her hand and passed it across her
eyes:

"I remember," she said, slowly.

Again the man laughed: "Oh, you do, eh? I was only guessin'! I know'd if
I asked you you'd lie about it--but I know now! An' it makes things a
damn sight easier fer me."

"Stand aside and let me pass!" cried the girl, "I didn't say he drowned.
He'll be along here any minute--and my husband will be here, too!"

"Oh-ho, my thousan' dollar beauty!" sneered the man, "yer bluff comes in
too late! If you'd of got it in first off, as soon as I said he was
drownded, I might of b'lieved you--but there's nothin' doin' now. You
can't scare me with a ghost--an' as fer yer husband--he'd ought to got
me when he had the chanct." He advanced toward her, and the girl shrank
back against her horse's shoulder. "Surely, you ain't afraid of me," he
taunted, "why, it ain't only a year back sence you went ridin' with me.
Remember--Wolf River, in the moonlight on the rim of the bench, an' the
little lights a-twinklin' down in the valley? An' you remember how we
was interrupted then--the sound of hoofs thumpin' the trail--the pilgrim
come out of the dark an' shot 'fore I even know'd he had a gun. But it's
different this time. Here in the bad lands there ain't no one to butt
in. I've got you all to myself here. I love you now, same as I did
then--only a whole heap more. Women are scarce down here. You figgered
you wanted a change of men, or you wouldn't of be'n runnin' off with
Tex. Well, you've got it--only you've got me instead of him. We won't
hit it off so bad when you git used to my ways."

Every particle of blood receded from the girl's face and as she cowered
against her horse, her eyes widened with horror. Her lips moved stiffly:
"You--_you dog_!" she muttered hoarsely.

Purdy grinned: "Dog, eh? You ain't helpin' yer case