"He looked at me with those quiet eyes, an' the twisty smile come into his face. 'No, Dad,' he says. 'It didn't get me--an' you know it didn't get me--an' it never could. I showed it I could lick it, an' that's all there is to it. I'm goin' away now, an' get drunk as hell--deliberate--not because I have to get drunk, but because I want to.' An' as I watched the boy ride away, I remembered how it had been with the Red King--he licked him an' turned him back with the wild bunch--because he wanted to." CHAPTER V ALICE TAKES A RIDE The meal proceeded in silence and at its conclusion Alice rose and stood with her hand on the back of her chair. "And Old Bat?" she asked, "Isn't there an old half-breed named Bat?" Colston nodded gloomily: "Yes, there's Old Bat. He's been cookin' at the home ranch, but when he finds out Tex has blown the outfit I expect he'll light out after him." "I think so too," agreed the girl, "I haven't the least doubt in the world that when we reach the ranch it will be to find Old Bat gone." After helping Mrs. Cameron with the dishes, Alice returned to the porch where the men were deep in the discussion of business, and as she listened her eyes rested longingly upon the three saddled horses. Colston noticed the look: "Like to take a little ride?" he smiled. "That buckskin's woman broke--I brought him a purpose when your husband wired that he was bringing you along. You've got an hour yet before dark, an' the trails out of Timber City are all main travelled ones--no danger of gettin' lost around here." Alice shot a questioning glance at Endicott who nodded approval. "Go ahead if you want to, dear--only be sure and be back before dark." "Oh, I'll be back before dark!" she assured him as she stepped into the yard, "I remember--" she laughed a trifle nervously, "I'm just dying to get into a saddle. No, you don't have to help me!" she called as Endicott rose from his chair. And her husband watched with a smile as she untied the horse, led him into the trail, and mounted.