, why didn't you? But after the chances you took rather than
to tell--why, Jeff, it would be terrible for her now."

"I know that, too," said Jeff. "I suppose I was a fool; but I didn't
want her to get mixed up with it, and at the same time I cared less
about hanging than any time I can remember. You see, I didn't know till
the last minute that the garden was going to cut any figure. And do you
suppose I'd have that courthouseful of fools buzzing and whispering at
her? Not much! Maybe it was foolish--but I'm glad I did it."

"I'm glad of it, too. If you had to be a fool," said Charley, "I'm glad
you were that kind of a fool. Are you still mad at me?"

Since Charley had recanted, and more especially since he had taken
considerate thought for the girl's compulsory silence, Jeff's anger had
evaporated.

"That's all right, pardner.... Only you oughtn't never to talk that way
about a girl--even for a joke. That's no good kind of a joke. Men, now,
that's different. See here, I'll give you an order to a fellow in El
Paso--Hibler--to pay for your horses and your gun. Here's your belt,
too."

Charley shook his head impatiently. "I don't want any money. Settle
with Pappy for the horses. I won't take this one back. Keep the belt.
You may want it to beat me with sometime. What are you going to do,
Jeff? Aren't you ever coming back?"

"Sure I'll come back--if only to see Griffith again. I'll write to John
Wesley Pringle--he's my mainest side pardner--and sick him on to find
out who robbed that bank--to prove it, rather. I just about almost
nearly know who it was. Old Wes'll straighten things out a-flying. I'll
be back in no time. I got to come back, Charley!"

The river was in sight. The stars were fading; there was a flush in the
east, a smell of dawn in the air.

"Jeff, I wish you'd do something for me."

"Sure, Charley. What is it?"

"I wish you'd give me that little turquoise horse to remember you by."

Jeff was silent for a little. He had framed out another plan for the
little eohippus--namely, to give him to Miss Ellinor. He sighed; but he
owed a good deal to Charley.

"All right, Charley. Take good care of him--he's a lucky little horse. I
think a heap of him. Here we are!"

The trees were distinct in the growing light. Jeff rode into the river;
the muddy water swirled about his horse's knees. He halted for parting;
Gibson rode in beside him. Jeff took the precious Alice book from his
bosom, put it in the crow