“You said you'd do it--I know what you've done--you--” she looked as if she would fly at his throat, and Dave, amazed, shrank back a step. “Go home, I tell ye--Uncle Judd's shot. Git on the hoss!” “No, no, NO! I wouldn't TOUCH anything that was yours”--she put her hands to her head as though she were crazed, and then she turned and broke into a swift run up the road. Panting, June reached the gate. The front door was closed and there she gave a tremulous cry for Bub. The door opened a few inches and through it Bub shouted for her to come on. The back door, too, was closed, and not a ray of daylight entered the room except at the port-hole where Bub, with a Winchester, had been standing on guard. By the light of the fire she saw her father's giant frame stretched out on the bed and she heard his laboured breathing. Swiftly she went to the bed and dropped on her knees beside it. “Dad!” she said. The old man's eyes opened and turned heavily toward her. “All right, Juny. They shot me from the laurel and they might nigh got Bub. I reckon they've got me this time.” “No--no!” He saw her eyes fixed on the matted blood on his chest. “Hit's stopped. I'm afeared hit's bleedin' inside.” His voice had dropped to a whisper and his eyes closed again. There was another cautious “Hello” outside, and when Bub again opened the door Dave ran swiftly within. He paid no attention to June. “I follered June back an' left my hoss in the bushes. There was three of 'em.” He showed Bub a bullet hole through one sleeve and then he turned half contemptuously to June: “I hain't done it”--adding grimly--“not yit. He's as safe as you air. I hope you're satisfied that hit hain't him 'stid o' yo' daddy thar.” “Are you going to the Gap for a doctor?” “I reckon I can't leave Bub here alone agin all the Falins--not even to git a doctor or to carry a love-message fer you.” “Then I'll go myself.” A thick protest came from the bed, and then an appeal that might have come from a child. “Don't leave me, Juny.” Without a word June went into the kitchen and got the old bark horn.