The mob of cattlemen retreated slowly, with many fierce oaths and a jangle of loud debate which Curtis feared each moment might break into a crackle of pistol shots. "That was a good stroke," said Lawson. "It sets up division, and so weakens them. You will be able to handle the sheriff now." XX FEMININE STRATEGY Having seen the horsemen ride away, Jennie and Elsie came across the road tense with excitement. "Tell us all about it? Have they gone?" "Who are they?" "We hope they are gone," Curtis replied, as lightly as he could. "It was the sheriff of Pinon County and a lynching party. I have persuaded one mob to drive away the other. They were less dangerous than they seemed." "See those heads!" exclaimed Lawson, pointing out several employes who were peering cautiously over roofs and around corners. "Not one has retained his hat," he added. "If the danger sharpens, off will come their shirts and trousers, and those belligerent white men will find themselves contending with six hundred of the best fighters in the world." "We must temporize," said Curtis. "A single shot now would be disaster." He checked himself there, but Lawson understood as well as he the situation. Jennie was not yet satisfied. "Has the sheriff come for some one in particular?" "No, he has no warrant, hasn't even a clew to the murder. He is really at the lead of a lynching party himself, and has no more right to be here than the men he is driving away." "What ought he to do?" asked Elsie. "He should go home. It is my business as agent to make the arrest. I have only a half-dozen police, and I dare not attempt to force him and his party to leave the reservation." "The whole situation is this," explained Lawson. "They've made this inquest the occasion for bringing all the hot-headed fools of the country together, and this is a bluff which they think will intimidate the Indians." "They wouldn't dare to begin shooting, would they?" asked Elsie. "You can't tell what such civilized persons will do," said Lawson. "But Curtis has the sheriff thinking, and the worst of it is over." "Here they come again!" exclaimed Wilson, who surprised Curtis by remaining cool and watchful through this first mutiny. At a swift gallop the sheriff and his posse came whirling back up the road--a wild and warlike squad--hardly more tractable than the redoubtables they had rounded up and thrown down the valley. "I think you had better go in," said Curtis to Elsie. "Jennie, take her back to the house for a little while." "No, let us stay," cried Elsie. "I want to see this sheriff myself. If we hear the talk we'll be less nervous." Curtis was firm. "This is no place for you. These cowboys have no respect for God, man, or devil; please go in." Jennie started to obey, but Elsie obstinately held her ground. "I will not! I have the right to know what is threatening me! I always hated to go below in a storm."