"I know," nodded Kate, her black eyes twinkling. "Don't apologize. I quarrel with Dad myself sometimes. Tom," she added, her expression sobering, "have you had any news from Farewell lately?" "Ain't heard a word since I left. Why?" "I received a letter from Dad to-day. He says there's a warrant for rustling out for you." "That's good hearin'," said Loudon, cheerfully. "I'm one popular jigger in the Lazy River country. They just can't get along without me, can they?" "Apparently not. Dad told me to tell you. Listen, it isn't generally known in Farewell or anywhere else in Fort Creek County, for that matter, that a warrant is out for you. It was issued by Judge Allison in Marysville. Block's keeping it as dark as possible." "Goin' to spring it on me when I ain't lookin', I suppose. He won't try fetchin' any warrant up here, that's a cinch." "Hardly. I always hated that man." "I never liked him a whole lot, neither. Say, how did yore dad hear about that warrant?" "He didn't say, but I imagine somebody in Marysville wrote him. He has friends there, you know." "I didn't know, but I'm shore glad he has. Next time yuh write yuh might thank yore dad for me." "I will, of course. I'm awfully glad you're safe up here, Tom. All the straight people in the Lazy River country know you didn't have any hand in the branding of those Crossed Dumbbell cattle, but that doesn't help much when Block and his friends are in the majority." "Yo're right, it don't; but I got to go to Farewell anyway in about five weeks." "What?" Kate's eyes widened with something very like fear. "Shore," nodded Loudon. "I got a little business to attend to that can't be put off." "Put it off," begged Kate, stretching out a pleading hand. "Put it off, Tom. You mustn't--you can't go back to Farewell now. Some day everything will be all right again, and then you can go back. But not now, Tom. Your life is much more important than any silly business. Please wait." "Can't be did," said Loudon with finality. "I just got to go, an' that's all there is to it." "But, Tom," cried Kate, "don't you understand? They'll--they'll h-hang you." "They'll have to catch me first. 'Tain't legal otherwise." "Oh, how can you make fun? I could cry. I could, indeed. I will, too, in a minute--only, you are fooling, aren't you? You don't really intend to go back." "I never fool. Dunno how. I'm goin' back, an' if Farewell gets gay, why, I'll just naturally rope that village o' tinhorns an' scatter it over a full section o' land. That'll cure 'em o' gettin' out warrants for peaceable folks, won't it now?" CHAPTER XV A HIDDEN TRAIL A pounding at his door woke Loudon in the morning. "'Lo," he called, sleepily. "Time for yore dinner!" shouted Mrs. Burr through the panels. "It's noon." "I'll get right up." "Yuh will not. Yuh'll stay right where yuh are. I'm comin' in." She entered, bearing a basin and towels.