Jud Carpenter listened in amazement and looked at him suspiciously. He came closer to see if he could smell whiskey on his breath, but Travis looked at him calmly as he went on: "Why, yes, of course you cursed her--how could you understand? How could you know--you, born soulless, know that you had witnessed something which, what does the old preacher call him--the man Jesus Christ--something He would have stopped and blessed her for. A slave and she saved it for her master. A negro and she loved little children where we people of much intellect and a higher civilization and Christianity--eh, Jud, Christians"--and he laughed so strangely that Jud took a turn around the room watching Travis out of the corner of his eyes. "Oh--and you cursed her!" Jud nodded. "An' to-morrow I'll go an' fetch the little 'un back. Why she's signed--she's our'n for five years." Travis turned quickly and Jud dodged under the same strange light that showed again in his eyes. Then he laid his hand on Jud's arm and said simply: "No--no--you will not!" Jud looked at him in open astonishment. Travis puffed at his cigar as he said: "Don't study me too closely. Things have happened--have happened, I tell you--my God! we are all double--that is if we are anything--two halves to us--and my half--my other half, got lost till the other night and left this aching, pitiful, womanly thing behind, that bleeds to the touch and has tears. Why, man, I am either an angel, a devil, or both. Don't you go there and touch that little child, nor thrust your damned moral Caliban monstrosity into that sweet isle, nor break up with your seared conscience the glory of that unselfish act. If you do I'll kill you, Jud Carpenter--I'll kill you!" Jud turned and walked to the water bucket, took a drink and squirted it through his teeth. He was working for thinking time: "He's crazy--he's sho' crazy--" he said to himself. Coming back, he said: "Pardon me, Mr. Travis--but the oldes' gyrl--what--what about her, you know?" "She's mine, isn't she? I've won her--outgeneraled the others--by brains and courage. She should belong to my harem--to my band--as the stallion of the plains when he beats off with tooth and hoof and neck of thunder his rival, and takes his mares." Jud nodded, looking at him quizzically. "Well, what about it?" asked Travis. "Nothin'--only this"--then he lowered his voice as he came nearer--"the ole 'oman will be after her in an hour--an' she'll take her--tell her all. Maybe you'll see somethin' to remind you of Jesus Christ in that." Travis smiled.