“Sure,” said the man politely. “Make yourself comfortable. I ain't used t' dealin' with ladies. But you got t' set still, yuh know, and not try any tricks. I can put up a mighty swift gun play when I need to--and your bein' a lady wouldn't cut no ice in a case uh that kind.” “Thank you.” Beatrice sat down upon the nearest rock, folded her hands meekly and looked from him to Keith, who seethed to claim a good deal of the man's attention. She observed that, at a long breath from Keith, his captor was instantly alert. “Maybe your elbows ache, too,” he remarked dryly. “They'll git over it, though; I've knowed a man t' grab at the clouds upwards of an hour, an' no harm done.” “That's encouraging, I'm sure.” Keith shifted to the other foot. “How's that sorrel?” demanded the man. “Can he go?” Keith hesitated a second. “Indeed he can go!” put in Beatrice eagerly. “He's every bit as good as Redcloud.” “Is that sorrel yours?” The man's eyes shifted briefly to her face. “No-o.” Beatrice, thinking how she had meant to own him, blushed. “That accounts for it.” He laughed unpleasantly. “I wondered why you was so dead anxious t' have me take him.” The eyes of Beatrice snapped sparks at him, but her manner was demure, not to say meek. “He belongs to my brother,” she explained, “and my brother has dozens of good saddle-horses. Mr. Cameron's horse is a pet. It's different when a horse follows you all over the place and fairly talks to you. He'll shake hands, and--” “Uh-huh, I see the point, I guess. What d'yuh say, kid?” Keith might seem boyish, but he did not enjoy being addressed as “kid.” He was twenty-eight years old, whether he looked it or not. “I say this: If you take my horse, I'll kill you. I'll have twenty-five cow-punchers camping on your trail before sundown. If you take this girl's horse, I'll do the same.” The man shut his lips in a thin line. “No, he won't!” cried Beatrice, leaning forward. “Don't mind a thing he says! You can't expect a man to keep his temper with his hands up in the air like that. You take Rex, and I'll promise for Mr. Cameron.” “Trix--Miss Lansell!”--sternly. “I promise you he won't do a thing,” she went on firmly. “He--he isn't half as fierce, really, as--as he looks.” Keith's face got red. The man laughed a little. Evidently the situation amused him, whether the others could see the humor of it or not. “So I'm to have your cayuse, eh?” Keith saw two big tears tipping over her lower lids, and gritted his teeth. “Well, it ain't often I git a chance t' please a lady,” the fellow decided. “I guess Rex'll do, all right. Go over and change saddles, youngster--and don't git gay. I've got the drop, and yuh notice I'm keeping it.” “Are you going to take his saddle?” Beatrice stood up and clenched her hands, looking very much as if she would like to pull his hair. Keith in trouble appealed to her strangely.