Page:J Allan Dunn--The Girl of Ghost Mountain.djvu/78

60 And so you came to make us a call? That was thoughtful. But—how did you find the way in? We are glad to see you but—we are a little disappointed that our secret entrance is known."

"You could easily make a heavy gate across the tunnel behind the fall," said Sheridan. "Or we would be glad to make it for you to atone for our trespass. It might be a good idea. I'll tell you how we found our way."

He was sure that they were well ahead of the surprise party and he took time to gloss the character of the proposed visit. He told of the way their arrival had been heralded to Metzal and described that place, half-cowtown, half-pueblo; he hinted at the ways of Hollister and his gang, watching the girl's eyes take on understanding, while Thora's narrowed. But neither of them showed any sign of fear.

"You must n't think that these men represent the community," he said. "They are in the minority. We have some respect for the conventions. And these are not altogether lawless. I don't want to frighten you away from here."

"You won't do that," said the girl. "We made up our minds before we came that things would be in the rough. We knew something of it, you see. We don't frighten as easily as we—as I—perhaps look. Do we, Thora?"

The woman sat there with her capable hands clasping each separate knee.

"I not bane afraid of any man," she said, without boast, a simple assertion that bore its own proof.