Page:Max Brand--The Seventh Man.djvu/239

Rh “Maybe we'll have no chance to talk alone again,” said Lee Haines. “This is the last trail either for Barry or for us. And I don't think that Barry is that close to the end of his rope. Buck, give me your hand and say good-bye. All that a man can do against Whistling Dan, and that isn't much, I'll do. Having you along won't make us a whit stronger.”

“Thanks,” growled Buck Daniels. “Jes save that kind farewell till I show yaller. Hurry up, she's gettin' too far ahead.”

At the bottom of the ravine, where they dismounted for the precipitous slope above, Kate showed her first hesitation.

“You both know what it means?” she asked them.

“We sure do,” replied Buck.

“Dan will find out that you've helped me, and then he'll never forgive you. Will you risk even that?”

“Kate,” broke in Lee Haines, “don't stop for questions. Keep on and we'll follow. I don't want to think of what may happen.”

She turned without a word and went up the steep incline.

“What d'you think of your soft girl now?” panted Buck at the ear of Haines. The latter flashed a significant look at him but said nothing. They reached the top of the canyon wall and passed on among the boulders.

Kate had drawn back to them now, and they walked as cautiously as if there were dried leaves under foot.