Cumberland with his hands tied securely behind his
back. At sight of her he rose with a low cry. She turned on big Silent
and whipped the six-gun from his hip. He barely managed to grasp her
wrist and swing the heavy revolver out of line with his body.

"You little fiend," he snarled, "drop the gun, or I'll wring your
neck."

"I don't fear you," she said, never wincing under the crushing grip on
her wrists, "you murderer!"

He said, calmly repossessing himself of his gun, "Now take a long look
at your father an' repeat all the things you was just saying' to me."

She stared miserably at her father. When Silent caught Kate's hand
Cumberland had started forward, but Kilduff and Rhinehart held him.

"What is it, Kate," he cried. "What does it mean?"

She explained it briefly: "This is Jim Silent!"

He remained staring at her with open mouth as if his brain refused to
admit what his ear heard.

"There ain't no use askin' questions how an' why she's here," said
Silent. "This is the pint. Lee Haines is behind the bars in Elkhead.
Whistlin' Dan put him there an' maybe the girl c'n persuade Dan to
bring him out again. If she don't--then everything the lynchin' gang
does to Haines we're goin' to do to you. Git down on your ol' knees,
Cumberland, an' beg your daughter to save your hide!"

The head of Kate dropped down.

"Untie his hands," she said. "I'll talk with Dan."

"I knew you'd see reason," grinned Silent.

"Jest one minute," said Cumberland. "Kate, is Lee Haines one of
Silent's gang?"

"He is."

"An' Dan put him behind the bars?"

"Yes."

"If Dan takes him out again the boy'll be outlawed, Kate."

"Cumberland," broke in Kilduff savagely, "here's your call to stop
thinkin' about Whistlin' Dan an' begin figgerin' for yourself."

"Don't you see?" said Kate, "it's your death these cowards mean."

Cumberland seemed to grow taller, he stood so stiffly erect with his
chin high like a soldier.

"You shan't make no single step to talk with Dan!"

"Can't you understand that it's _you_ they threaten?" she cried.

"I understan' it all," he said evenly. "I'm too old to have a young
man damned for my sake."

"Shut him up!" ordered Silent. "The old fool!"

The heavy hand of Terry Jordan clapped over Joe's mouth effectually
silenced him. He struggled vainly to speak again and Kate turned to
Silent to shut out the sight.

"Tell your man to let him go," she said, "I will do what you wish."

"That's talkin