Beth Norvell

Winston struck his hand against the log, as slight vent to his feelings.

"Hicks, I never supposed you were a fool. You know better than that,

if you will only stop and think. This claim matter is settled already.

The whole trouble originated with Farnham, and he is dead. Tomorrow

you 'll bury him. The sheriff is here, and he's already beginning to

understand this affair. He stands to help you. Now, all you 've got

to do is to swear out warrants for Farnham's partners, and show up in

evidence that tunnel running along your lead. It's simple as A B C,

now that you know it's there. They can't beat you, and you don't

require a word of testimony from me. But that poor girl needs

me,--she's almost crazed by this thing,--and I 'm going with her, if I

have to fight my way out from here with a rifle. That's the whole of

it--either you give me those horses, or I 'll take them."

Old Hicks looked into the grim face fronting him so threateningly, the

complete situation slowly revealing itself to his mind.

"Great Guns!" he said at last, almost apologetically. "Yer need n't do

nothin' like that. Lord, no! I like yer first rate, an' I like the

girl. Yer bet I do, an' I 'm damn glad that Farnham 's knocked out.

Shore, I 'll help the both o' yer. I reckon Stutter 'd be no good as a

guide ter-night, but I kin show yer the way down the ravine. The rest

is just ridin'. Yer kin leave them hosses with the section-boss at

Daggett till I come fer 'em."