“With our compliments and best wishes, Angel. We’ve got a case of preserves here from the East. If it was not asking too much of you, now would you give Mrs. Silver Bill a dozen jars?” “I’ll carry one over. That’s all I can manage to-day.” “I’ll send a man over with the rest in the morning, and some sardines, some canned salmon and Boston beans--just the things for an invalid, aren’t they?” “Well, they will be next week. She will be on toast and gruel all this one.” “Oh--ah--yes, of course. Well, I am proud that she--ah--well--give her my best respects. I’ll get the jelly.” “Mine, too,” said Shoshone. Then, as he saw that they were alone, Shoshone took a step or two nearer her, saying: “You are the best woman God ever made, Angel. That’s what you are!” “What makes you say that, Shoshone?” “You won’t get mad if I tell you?” “Why, no. What is it?” “I know I’m kinder low-down and rough, Angel, but I hain’t never stole nobody’s hosses nor branded cattle that wan’t mine, and, as for drinking, I’m willing to stop that at once. I never cared for it, anyway, but what else is there to do, out here? Will you, Angel?” “Will I what, Shoshone?” “Now you won’t get mad at me?” “Mr. Shoshone, speak out! What do you want me to do?” “My heart is all empty a-longin’ for you, and I want you to crawl in forevermore. I want you to be my wife.” “Dear God! what is he saying? Oh, I can’t, Shoshone, I can’t!” “Yes, you can; if you only will.” “But I can’t, Shoshone, my good friend, and I will tell you why. I was married once, and my husband deserted me for another woman, and stole my child, my little boy. So I am not free, you see.” “Yes, I see,” said Shoshone, swallowing hard. “Don’t say nothin’ more, Angel. I’m sorry I said a word. Try and forget it, will you, Angel? But if ever you need someone to fight or die for you, jes’ call on Shoshone, and I’ll do it, so help me--I will!” Keeping his back to her, so that she could not see the bitter disappointment in his face, Shoshone started away, when Helen called him. “Are you going away, Shoshone?” “Yest, jes’ for a little while; jes’ out there in the rocks and lonesomeness. I wouldn’t want a woman to see me cry--and I’m d----d near it!” he added under his breath as he hastily escaped, while she held out her hands, saying sadly: “You may never know it, Shoshone, but if I were free I would be your wife--faithful and loving.” Then, hearing footsteps, Helen started out to meet Snakes who was returning with a jar of startlingly large proportions. It was Goldberg and Bennie whose steps Helen had heard, and they came into the saloon from the dining-room, where Bennie had persuaded Mr. Goldberg to drink a cup of coffee. His own appetite needed no urging. The elder man wanted some tobacco, and, as they came in, he said: “Und, take my atvice, Bennie, nefer touch it. Let it alone, strictly. It is no goot. Viskey is de bummest stuff, A1, double Xs.” “No fear, Mr. Goldberg. I never use it. But, tell me----”