Page:Edison Marshall--The voice of the pack.djvu/174

156 in any snowdrift, on any rocky trail; and these conditions are very deadly to any delusions that he has in regard to himself. He acquires an ability to see just where he stands, and of course that means self-possession. This quality had something to do with the remarkable record that the mountain men, such as that magnificent warrior from Tennessee, made in the late war.

Cranston knew exactly what Snowbird would do. Although of a higher order, she was a mountain creature, even as himself. She meant exactly what she said. If he had n't climbed from Dan's prone body, she would have shot quickly and very straight. If he tried to attack either of them now, her finger would press back before he could blink an eye, and she would n't weep any hysterical tears over his dead body. If he kept his distance, she would n't shoot at all. He meant to keep his distance. But he did know that he could insult her without danger to himself. And by now his lips had acquired their old curl of scorn.

"I 'll go, Snowbird," he said. "I 'll leave you with your sissy. But I guess you saw what I did to him—in two minutes."

"I saw. But you must remember he's sick. Now go."