"Time enough to see about him later, if he's still with the encampment. Naturally, if he's guilty he won't go unpunished." "_If_ he's guilty?" "That's what I said." "You're growing soft, Keleher." "Yes? We don't elect our leaders, Starbuck. Any time you think you want the job, you can try to take it." Starbuck blanched. "I didn't mean it that way. I was only giving my opinion." "Don't, unless you're prepared to defend it--and yourself." "I'm sorry." But Starbuck's eyes were smouldering. "Get back to the encampment, then. I'll expect you here with the rest of our people day after tomorrow. Can't make up your mind where you belong, can you?" Keleher pointed with amusement to the buckskin kneepads. "I know you're trying to goad me," Starbuck whined. "Maybe." "You don't like me." "As a type, Starbuck. Personally, I'm indifferent." That was goading of a more subtle sort, but it was lost on Starbuck. Diane's indifference would irk him; Keleher's indifference was at times preferable. "We ought to be friends," Starbuck boomed. "I'm generally recognized as your second in command." "Only because I want it that way. Amos Westler, for example has forgotten more than you will ever learn." "That's clever," declared Starbuck. "That's expert. You play us off one against another and keep the power for yourself." Keleher shrugged massive shoulders. "It wasn't original with me. But you're unusually perceptive today, Starbuck. And I'll say this: you've got more spunk than Westler, for all his brains." "He's soft." "You bring our people. I'll wait. Tell your men that since they have to pack our tents and cart our belongings, they'll be able to rest when we reach our new encampment. My group will set the place up." "He ought to be a hermit, that Amos Westler." Keleher shook his head. "Too scholarly. No outdoor know-how. Give him a book and he's happy. He wouldn't last a week. But he's still a good man, Starbuck. We need men like Amos Westler." "And we need men like me." Keleher grinned. "You should have let me say that. Trouble with you is you try to ape me. I'm always a step ahead of you, though. And don't forget it." "Maybe someday I'll catch up." "That would be interesting," admitted Keleher, dismissing Starbuck with a shrug and issuing instructions as his men began to assemble their bivouac. Starbuck sensed he had been bested in the verbal battle, but was too petulantly egotistical to admit it even to himself. Instead, he made plans for his return to the encampment. He hoped the new Shining One, that Johnny Hope kid who Diane had nursed back to health, would be foolish enough to return. Without Keleher around to steal the show, Starbuck might make himself a hero. * * * * *