The Border Legion

Following that meeting, with all its power to change and strengthen

Joan, there were uneventful days in which she rode the gulch trails

and grew able to stand the jests and glances of the bandit's gang.

She thought she saw and heard everything, yet insulated her true

self in a callous and unreceptive aloofness from all that affronted

her.

The days were uneventful because, while always looking for Jim

Cleve, she never once saw him. Several times she heard his name

mentioned. He was here and there--at Beard's off in the mountains.

But he did not come to Kells's cabin, which fact, Joan gathered, had

made Kells anxious. He did not want to lose Cleve. Joan peered from

her covert in the evenings, and watched for Jim, and grew weary of

the loud talk and laughter, the gambling and smoking and drinking.

When there seemed no more chance of Cleve's coming, then Joan went

to bed.

On these occasions Joan learned that Kells was passionately keen to

gamble, that he was a weak hand at cards, an honest gambler, and,

strangely enough, a poor loser. Moreover, when he lost he drank

heavily, and under the influence of drink he was dangerous. There

were quarrels when curses rang throughout the cabin, when guns were

drawn, but whatever Kells's weaknesses might be, he was strong and

implacable in the governing of these men.

That night when Gulden strode into the cabin was certainly not

uneventful for Joan. Sight of him sent a chill to her marrow while a

strange thrill of fire inflamed her. Was that great hulk of a

gorilla prowling about to meet Jim Cleve? Joan thought that it might

be the worse for him if he were. Then she shuddered a little to

think that she had already been influenced by the wildness around

her.

Gulden appeared well and strong, and but for the bandage on his head

would have been as she remembered him. He manifested interest in the

gambling of the players by surly grunts. Presently he said something

to Kells.

"What?" queried the bandit, sharply, wheeling, the better to see

Gulden.

The noise subsided. One gamester laughed knowingly.

"Lend me a sack of dust?" asked Gulden.

Kells's face showed amaze and then a sudden brightness.

"What! You want gold from me?"

"Yes. I'll pay it back."

"Gulden, I wasn't doubting that. But does your asking mean you've

taken kindly to my proposition?"

"You can take it that way," growled Gulden. "I want gold." "I'm

mighty glad, Gulden," replied Kells, and he looked as if he meant

it. "I need you. We ought to get along. ... Here."