eep voice of Silent rang
out like a pistol shot: "Don't move for your six-guns, or you'll be
playin' agin me!"

Haines transferred his glare to Silent, but his hand dropped from his
gun. Daniels laughed.

"I ain't no mile post with a hand pointin' to trouble," he said
gently. "All I say is that the girl needs excitement. Life's so damned
dull for her that she ain't got no interest in livin'."

"If you're fool enough to try," said Silent, "go ahead. What are you
plannin' to do?"

"You'll learn by watchin'," grinned Buck, taking the reins of his
horse. "I'm goin' to ask the lady soft an' polite to step up to her
cabin an' pile into some ham an' eggs. If she don't want to I'll rough
her up a little, an' she'll love me for it afterwards!"

"The way she loves a snake!" growled Kilduff.

"By God, Silent," said Haines, his face white with emotion, "if Buck
puts a hand on her I'll--"

"Act like a man an' not like a damn fool boy," said Silent, dropping a
heavy hand on the shoulder of his lieutenant. "He won't hurt her none,
Lee. I'll answer for that. Come on, Buck. Speakin' personal, I wish
that calico was in hell."

Leading his horse, Buck followed Silent towards the girl. She did not
move when they approached. Her eyes still held far down the valley.
The steps of the big outlaw were shorter and shorter as they drew
close to the girl. Finally he stopped and turned to Buck with a
gesture of resignation.

"Look at her! This is what she's been doin' ever since yesterday.
Buck, it's up to you to make good. There she is!"

"All right," said Buck, "it's about time for you amachoors to exit an'
leave the stage clear for the big star. Now jest step back an' take
notes on the way I do it. In fifteen minutes by the clock she'll be
eatin' out of my hand."

Silent, expectant but baffled, retired a little. Buck removed his hat
and bowed as if he were in a drawing-room.

"Ma'am," he said, "I got the honour of askin' you to side-step up to
the shanty with me an' tackle a plate of ham an' eggs. Are you on?"

To this Chesterfieldian outpouring of the heart, she responded with a
slow glance which started at Buck's feet, travelled up to his face,
and then returned to the purple distance down the canyon. In spite of
himself the tell-tale crimson flooded Buck's face. Far away he caught
the muffled laughter of the outlaws. He replaced his hat.

"Don't make no mistake," he went on, his gesture including the bandits
in the backgrou