Those who had sunken so low the day before, cried out in repentance, as they listened to her words. God's message, through Esther Bright's voice, had come to men's business and bosoms. Called of God, she said they were,--called to be true men, true women. From time to time, she quoted, "The wages of sin is death." One could almost hear his heart beat. The meeting was over, so far as Esther Bright's part in it was concerned; then it passed from her control. First one, then another rose, confessed his sins, and asked for her prayers. And what of Esther? She sat as pale as death, her face alight with a sweetness and compassion that did not seem of earth. Kenneth Hastings watched her with deepening reverence. Her words had gone to his heart, too, and he sang with deep feeling: "Just as I am, without one plea." As the song ceased, Pete Tompkins (to everyone's amazement) sprang to his feet. "Ye'll be s'prised ter hear from me, I reckon,"--Here he shoved his hand, lean and gaunt, up through his hair. "But I've been listenin' ter schoolma'am ever sence she begun preachin' in the timber, an' all I've got ter say is she ain't _our_ brand, or the Devil's brand either. When the Boss sent out his puncher ter round up folks, he cut her out an' branded her with the mark o' God. I know she's tellin' the gospel truth. She's got more courage 'n any blanked one o' yer. I done 'er a mean trick onct. I said blanked mean things about 'er. I'm sorry I done it, blanked ef I ain't! Ter show 'er an' you that I mean ter be differ'nt, I say, here an' now, that I wanter see these meetin's go on, 's long 's schoolma'am 'll be our angel an' pilot us. Ter prove I mean it, I'll plank down this hunderd dollars" (holding up a hundred-dollar bill) "toward buildin' a meetin' house; an' I'll give more, blanked ef I don't! How many wants a meetin' house in Gila? Stand up!" Many stood. "_Stand up, the hull blanked lot o' ye!_" said the self-appointed leader in forcible tones. To Esther's astonishment, the people rose, and remained standing. The notes of a thrush were caught up by a mocking bird, then a warbler joined in, and the waiting people listened. The song of the birds "came like the benediction that follows after prayer." At last the company dispersed, and Esther Bright sat alone, absorbed in silent prayer. CHAPTER XVIII NIGHT ON THE RANGE The cowboys and cowlasses had long been back on the range, and the attendance at the clubs had decreased in consequence. Many still came to the Sunday service in the timber; and the children remained in the school, notwithstanding the increasing heat.