There was an instant of flashing wonder and joy on her white face, and then the radiance paled, the glow died. Her soul was the darker for that one strange, leaping glimpse of a glory not for such as she. “I must stay here,” she said, shudderingly. “Fay!--How strange to SAY Fay aloud to YOU!--Fay, do you know the way to Surprise Valley?” “I don't know where it is, but I could go straight to it,” she replied. “Take me there. Show me your beautiful valley. Let me see where you ran and climbed and spent so many lonely years.” “Ah, how I'd love to! But I dare not. And why should you want me to take you? We can run and climb here.” “I want to--I mean to save Jane Withersteen and Lassiter,” he declared. She uttered a little cry of pain. “Save them?” “Yes, save them. Get them out of the valley, take them out of the country, far away where they and YOU--” “But I can't go,” she wailed. “I'm afraid. I'm bound. It CAN'T be broken. If I dared--if I tried to go they would catch me. They would hang Uncle Jim and leave Mother Jane alone there to starve.” “Fay, Lassiter and Jane both will starve--at least they will die there if we do not save them. You have been terribly wronged. You're a slave. You're not a wife.” “They--said I'll be burned in hell if I don't marry him.... Mother Jane never taught me about God. I don't know. But HE--he said God was there. I dare not break it.” “Fay, you have been deceived by old men. Let them have their creed. But YOU mustn't accept it.” “John, what is God to you?” “Dear child, I--I am not sure of that myself,” he replied, huskily. “When all this trouble is behind us, surely I can help you to understand and you can help me. The fact that you are alive--that Lassiter and Jane are alive--that I shall save you all--that lifts me up. I tell you--Fay Larkin will be my salvation.” “Your words trouble me. Oh, I shall be torn one way and another.... But, John, I daren't run away. I will not tell you where to find Lassiter and Mother Jane.” “I shall find them--I have the Indian. He found you for me. Nas Ta Bega will find Surprise Valley.” “Nas Ta Bega!... Oh, I remember. There was an Indian with the Mormons who found us. But he was a Piute.” “Nas Ta Bega never told me how he learned about you. That he learned was enough. And, Fay, he will find Surprise Valley. He will save Uncle Jim and Mother Jane.” Fay's hands clasped Shefford's in strong, trembling pressure; the tears streamed down her white cheeks; a tragic and eloquent joy convulsed her face. “Oh, my friend, save them! But I can't go.... Let them keep me! Let him kill me!” “Him! Fay--he shall not harm you,” replied Shefford in passionate earnestness. She caught the hand he had struck out with.