"No, I don't," answered Dixie May. "And I don't care, either," she added, glancing across at him with clear-seeing eyes. "I always knew you were a gentleman, and--say, what's the matter with that pack?" She dismounted quickly as she spoke, and Bowles dropped off to help. Then, after the ropes had been tightened, they stood silent within the circle of their horses. "Mr. Bowles," began Dixie, leaning one arm on the pack and looking thoughtfully away, "being the man you are, you--you wouldn't compel a lady to apologize to you, would you?" "Why no, no--certainly not!" gasped Bowles, alarmed by a mistiness in her eyes. "Because if that's what you're going away for----" "Oh, my dear Miss Lee!" protested Bowles, now suddenly stirred to the depths. "Don't think of it--not for a moment! No, indeed! I will confess that I was a little hurt by your--but that's all right! That's all right! You don't know my aunt, do you, Miss Lee? I can't explain it to you, but--well, she's a very determined woman, in her way, and--well, she wants me to come home." "Yes?" "Yes, and so I'd better move on. I'm sorry that Brig can't go along with me, but--well, I can go alone. Do you remember one time, when we were coming West, I spoke about the spirit of the country--the spirit of the West? Well, I have found it--it is to move on!" "And never come back?" inquired Dixie quickly. "Well, something like that," admitted Bowles. "Yes, I do remember that," responded Dixie, with a reminiscent smile. "I remember it well. We were alone on the train and we said all kinds of things--I didn't know you very well then. I remember you told me once, if I'd help you find the Far West, you'd be my faithful knight--and all that. And I helped you, too, didn't I?" "Why, yes!" said Bowles, puzzled by her air. "Well, what about being my knight?" demanded Dixie, with sudden frankness. "You've done well out here, Mr. Bowles, but there's one thing I'm disappointed in--you don't keep the customs of the country!" "Why, what do you mean, Miss Lee?" inquired Bowles. A sudden smile illuminated Dixie's face--the same smile that had taken possession of him when he had forgotten and stolen a kiss--and then she turned away and blushed. "Well," she said, "you're the first Bat Wing man that has gone away without--without proposing to me!"