Beth Norvell

The sheriff's iron hand fell in restraint upon his shoulder, the burly

body interposed between them.

"You're all right," Hayes said quietly, his eyes pleasantly interested.

"You 've been squar' with me, young fellow, an' I 'm goin' ter be

squar' with you. You kin bet on that. They 'll give you a chance down

below to fight out your quarrel with Farnham."

Winston, his quick rage as instantly fading, drew one hand across his

face, the real danger of his present situation flowing back suddenly to

mind.

"Where do you mean to take us?" he questioned.

"San Juan."

"Right away?"

"Wal, 'bout as soon as we kin git you back ter whar the hosses are,

yonder."

"You promise us protection from that 'Independence' outfit?"

The sheriff nodded decisively.

"Never lost no prisoner yet to a mob," he replied confidently. "I

reckon thar'll be one hell of a fight before I do now. However, you

don't need to worry, young man. On second thought, I 'll have the

hosses brought over here, an' we 'll go down this trail."

Winston glanced about into the faces of Hicks and the Swede. There was

no help forthcoming from either, but he had already reached a definite

decision for himself.

"Very well," he said calmly, "I 'll go with you quietly, sheriff, only

I don't need any hand-cuffing."

"Never use 'em," and Hayes affectionately patted his gun. "I reckon

this yere instrument will do the business all right if any

misunderstandin' should arise atween us goin' down. However, I 'll

trouble yer to discard them weapons for the sake o' peace."

Without a word the engineer unbuckled his belt, tossed it over to

Hicks, and then slowly turned his body about to prove himself entirely

disarmed. Then he smiled, and extended his hand. The sheriff grasped

it cordially.

"There need be no hard feeling between us, Hayes," he said pleasantly.

"You 're only doing your sworn duty; I understand that. But there 's

something rotten in this affair somewhere. All I ask is a square deal."

"An' yer kin bet you'll git it, Mr. Winston, er Sam Hayes will find out

why. This yere 'Independence' outfit is no favorites o' mine, an' if

the whole difficulty turns out ter be nothin' but a minin' squabble,

the jury ain't likely ter be very hard on yer. That's my way o'

figgerin' on it, from what little I know." He glanced keenly about,

seeking to gain a clearer idea of their immediate surroundings. "Maybe

you an' Swanson better mosey back yonder to the cabin, where I can keep

an eye on you easy, while I send after the hosses. Farnham, climb back

on top of the dump there, an' give them boys the signal to come on."

The gambler removed his hat, running one hand carelessly through his

hair, his thin lips sufficiently parted to reveal his white teeth.