She smiled. "Would you have me jump from a train in skirts, sir? Or travel far afoot in crinoline? But to soothe your mind I will say that I wore these clothes under my proper attire and cloak until the last moment. And if you turn me away I shall cut my hair and continue as a boy." "If you are for Salt Lake--where we are of the Lord's choosing and wish none of you--there is the stage," he prompted shrewdly. "Go to the stage. You cannot make this wagon train your instrument." "The stage?" She slowly shook her head. "Why, I am too well known, sir, take that as you will. And the stage does not leave until morning. Much might happen between now and morning. I have nobody in Benton that I can depend upon--nobody that I dare depend upon. And by railway, for the East? No. That is too open a trail. I am running free of Benton and Pedro Montoyo, and stage and train won't do the trick. I've thought that out." She tossed back her head, deliberately turned. "Good-night, ladies and gentlemen." Involuntarily I started forward to intercept. The notion of her heading into the vastness and the gloom was appalling; the inertness of that increasing group, formed now of both men and women collected from all the camp, maddened. So I would have besought her, pleaded with her, faced Montoyo for her--but a new voice mediated. "She shall stay, Hyrum? For the night, at least? I will look after her." The Captain's younger wife, Rachael, had stepped to him; laid one hand upon his arm--her smooth hair touched ashine by the firelight as she gazed up into his face. Pending reply I hastened directly to My Lady herself and detained her by her jacket sleeve. "Wait," I bade. Whereupon we both turned. Side by side we fronted the group as if we might have been partners--which, in a measure, we were, but not wholy according to the lout Daniel's cackle and the suddenly interrogating countenances here and there. "You would take her in, Rachael?" the Captain rumbled. "Have you not heard what I said?" "We are commanded to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless, Hyrum." "Verily that is so. Take her. I trust you with her till the morning. The Lord will direct us further. But in God's name clothe her for the daylight in decency. She shall not advertise her flesh to men's eyes." "Quick!" I whispered, with a push. Rachael, however, had crossed for us, and with eyes brimming extended her hand. "Will you come with me, please?" she invited. "You are not afraid of me?" "I? No. You are a woman, are you not?" The intonation was gentle, and sweet to hear--as sweet as her rosy face to see. "Yes," sighed My Lady, wearily. "Good-night, sir." She fleetingly smiled upon me. "I thank you; and Mr. Jenks." They went, Rachael's arm about her; other women closed in; we heard exclamations, and next they were supporting her in their midst, for she had crumpled in a faint. Captain Adams walked out a piece as if musing. Daniel pressed beside him, talking eagerly. His voice reached me.