Page:Max Brand--The Seventh Man.djvu/199

Rh Indians out of one papoose,” answered Haines. “It was Dan. Who else would be traipsing around with a dog that looks like a wolf—and hunts men?”

“I remember when Dan cornered Jim Silent in that cabin, and all Jim's gang was with him. Black Bart”

“Buck,” cut in Haines, “you've remembered plenty.”

After a moment: “When are you going in to break the news to Kate?”

Buck Daniels regarded him with angry astonishment. “Me?” he cried. “I'd sooner cut my tongue out!” He drew a great breath. “I feel like—like Dan was dead!”

“The best thing for Kate if he were.”

“That's a queer thing to say, Lee. The meat would be rotted off your bones six years ago in Elkhead if it hadn't been for Whistlin' Dan.”

“I know it, Buck. But I'll tell you straight that I could never feel towards Dan as if he were a human being, but a wolf in the hide of a man. He turned my blood cold; he always has.”

Buck Daniels groaned aloud as thoughts poured back on him.

“Of all the pals that ever a man had,” he said sadly, “there never was a partner like Whistlin' Dan. There was never another gent that would go through hell for you jest because you'd eaten meat with him. The first time I met him I tried to double-cross him, because I had my orders from Silent. And Dan played clean