wards them.

"Jest a little accident happened to your daughter," explained Buck.
"Never mind. I c'n carry her in all right. You fellers stay back. A
crowd ain't no help. Ain't no cause to worry, Mr. Cumberland. She
ain't hurt!"

He hastened on into the shanty and laid her on the bunk within. Her
father hurried about to bathe her face and throat. Buck pushed the
other three men out of the room.

"She ain't hurt," he said calmly, "she's jest a little fussed up.
Remember I said in fifteen minutes I'd have her eatin' out of my hand.
I've still got ten minutes of that time. When the ten minutes is up
you all come an' take a look through that window. If you don't see the
girl eatin' at that table, I'll chaw up my hat."

He crowded them through the door and shut it behind them. A cry of joy
came from old Joe Cumberland and Buck turned to see Kate sitting up on
the bunk.

CHAPTER XXXI

"LAUGH, DAMN IT!"

She brushed her father's anxious arms aside and ran to Buck.

"Shut up!" said Buck. "Talk soft. Better still, don't say nothin'!"

"Kate," stammered her father, "what has happened?"

"Listen an' you'll learn," said Buck. "But get busy first. I got to
get you out of here tonight. You'll need strength for the work ahead
of you. You got to eat. Get me some eggs. Eggs and ham. Got 'em? Good.
You, there!" (This to Joe.) "Rake down them ashes. On the jump, Kate.
Some wood here. I got only ten minutes!"

In three minutes the fire was going, and the eggs in the pan, while
Joe set out some tin dishes on the rickety table, under orders from
Buck, making as much noise as possible. While they worked Buck talked.
By the time Kate's plate was ready his tale was done. He expected
hysterics. She was merely white and steady-eyed.

"You're ready?" he concluded.

"Yes."

"Then begin by doin' what I say an' ask no questions. Silent an' his
crew'll be lookin' through the window over there pretty soon. You got
to be eatin' an' appearin' to enjoy talkin' to me. Get that an' don't
forget it. Mix in plenty of smiles. Cumberland, you get back into the
shadow an' stay there. Don't never come out into the light. Your face
tells more'n a whole book, an' believe me, Jim Silent is a quick
reader."

Joe retreated to a corner of the room into which the light of the lamp
did not penetrate.

"Sit down at that table!" ordered Buck, and he placed a generous
portion of fried eggs and ham before her.

"I can't eat. Is Dan--"

"I hea