But the rattle of the wheels had been heard by the girl and Jim, and they rushed to the door to learn who had arrived. "Is that you, chief?" called the member of the Younger family, unable to see in the darkness after leaving the lighted room. Ere the great outlaw could reply, however, the cow gave a low "moo," evidently glad to be home, and with a gasp of incredulous delight, Daisy darted to the animal, threw her arms around its neck and murmured: "Is it really you, Topsey? How can we ever thank you, sir. Little Tom will have his milk now--unless--unless--" and she stopped abruptly. "Unless what, Miss Shaw?" inquired the bandit-chieftain. "Unless Mr. Rozier only let her come back for the three days." "Don't worry about that. Topsey, if that's her name, is yours for good and all. Hiram Rozier will never trouble you about her." Yet though the girl pressed him, he would say nothing about the manner in which the animal had been recovered. Leading the cow to her shed, Daisy bade Jim fetch a milk pail, announcing that supper would be ready as soon as she had finished the task. But Jesse realized that Cole and John would be worried at the length of time he and his companion were absent and, going into the house, he helped himself to such articles of food as he thought his pals would relish, then set out to rejoin them. Their anxiety relieved by the return of their chief, the Youngers listened interestedly to his account of the occurrences during his absence, both of them stripping a bill from their rolls and asking him to give them to the stricken family. "Saddle the horses at nine o'clock," Jesse remarked after thanking them for their contributions. "Jim and I'll be back as soon as we see whether that brute Hiram sends the cancelled mortgage or not. "Sit tight and don't take any chances." Daisy and her companion had not been in the house long when the world-famous desperado returned. To his delight, the girl asked no embarrassing questions about his absence, apparently considering it but natural that he should look around, and no mention did she make of the missing edibles. With a joy that was reward sufficient in itself, the baby took his milk, being indulged with a double allowance in honour of the visit of "Santa Claus" as Daisy called her benefactor. On the pallet, Mrs. Shaw was sleeping peacefully. Sitting down to the rickety table, the outlaws ate ravenously, for they had been more than twenty-four hours without food. Their hunger, appeased, Jesse suggested that on the morrow the girl look for some cosy, clean rooms with a farmer who would keep Topsey, leaving the ramshackle hovel for good and all. The plan met with Daisy's approval till she remembered that such comfort would cost money, but her disappointment was quickly alleviated by the great outlaw.