nk, but because I want
to.' An' as I watched the boy ride away, I remembered how it had been
with the Red King--he licked him an' turned him back with the wild
bunch--because he wanted to."

CHAPTER V

ALICE TAKES A RIDE

The meal proceeded in silence and at its conclusion Alice rose and stood
with her hand on the back of her chair. "And Old Bat?" she asked, "Isn't
there an old half-breed named Bat?"

Colston nodded gloomily: "Yes, there's Old Bat. He's been cookin' at the
home ranch, but when he finds out Tex has blown the outfit I expect
he'll light out after him."

"I think so too," agreed the girl, "I haven't the least doubt in the
world that when we reach the ranch it will be to find Old Bat gone."

After helping Mrs. Cameron with the dishes, Alice returned to the porch
where the men were deep in the discussion of business, and as she
listened her eyes rested longingly upon the three saddled horses.

Colston noticed the look: "Like to take a little ride?" he smiled. "That
buckskin's woman broke--I brought him a purpose when your husband wired
that he was bringing you along. You've got an hour yet before dark, an'
the trails out of Timber City are all main travelled ones--no danger of
gettin' lost around here."

Alice shot a questioning glance at Endicott who nodded approval. "Go
ahead if you want to, dear--only be sure and be back before dark."

"Oh, I'll be back before dark!" she assured him as she stepped into the
yard, "I remember--" she laughed a trifle nervously, "I'm just dying to
get into a saddle. No, you don't have to help me!" she called as
Endicott rose from his chair. And her husband watched with a smile as
she untied the horse, led him into the trail, and mounted.

At the first little rise, Alice reined in the buckskin and gazed about
her, breathing deeply of the sage-laden air. In the gradually deepening
twilight the Judith range loomed dark and mysterious and far to the
northward, the Bear Paws were just visible against the faintly glowing
sky. Before her, the white trail wound among the foothills in its long
climb to the divide, and beyond the little town it flattened away toward
the Missouri. Over that trail just one year ago she had ridden in
company with her two lovers. Her heart swelled with pride of the man who
had won her. "But I love Tex, too," she murmured, and blushed at the
words, "I do! Nobody could help loving him. He's--he's--well, he's just
Tex!" Her glance strayed