Haines turned on his heel and went back to the card table, where Buck immediately joined the circle. "Wait a minute, Lee," said Silent. "Ain't it your turn to stand guard on the Cumberlands tonight?" "Right--O," answered Haines cheerfully, and rose from the table. "Hold on," said Buck. "Are you goin' to spoil all the work I done today with that girl?" "What's the matter?" asked Silent. "Everything's the matter! Are you goin' to put a man she hates out there watchin' her." "Damn you, Daniels," said Haines fiercely, "you're rolling up a long account, but it only takes a bullet to collect that sort of a bill!" "If it hadn't been for Haines, would the girl's father be here?" asked Buck. "Besides, she don't like blonds." "What type does she like?" asked Silent, enjoying the quarrel between his lieutenant and the recruit. "Likes 'em with dark hair an' eyes," said Buck calmly. "Look at me, for instance!" Even Haines smiled, though his lips were white with anger. "D'you want to stand guard over her yourself?" said the chief. "Sure," grinned Buck, "maybe she'd come out an' pass the time o' night with me." "Go ahead and take the job," nodded Silent. "I got an idea maybe she will." "Silent," warned Haines, "hasn't it occurred to you that there's something damned queer about the ease with which Buck slid into the favour of the girl?" "Well?" "All his talk about manhandling her is bunk. He had some message for her. I saw him speak to her when she was struggling in his arms. Then she conveniently fainted." Silent turned on Buck. "Is that straight?" "It is," said Daniels easily. The outlaws started and their expectant grins died out. "By God, Buck!" roared Silent, "if you're double crossin' me--but I ain't goin' to be hasty now. What happened? Tell it yourself! What did you say to her?" "While she was fightin' with me," said Buck, "she hollered: 'Let me go!' I says: 'I'll see you in hell first!' Then she fainted." The roar of laughter drowned Haines's further protest. "You win, Buck," said Silent. "Take the job." As Buck started for the door Haines called to him: "Hold on, Buck, if you're aboveboard you won't mind giving your word to see that no one comes up the valley and that you'll be here in the morning?" The words set a swirling blackness before Buck's eyes. He turned slowly. "That's reasonable," said Silent. "Speak up, Daniels." "All right," said Buck, his voice very low. "I'll be here in the morning, and I'll see that no one comes up the valley." There was the slightest possible emphasis on the word "up." On a rock directly in front of the shanty Buck took up his watch. The little house behind him was black. Presently he heard the soft call of Kate: "Is it time?" His eyes wandered to the ranch house. He could catch the drone of many voices. He made no reply. "Is it time?" she repeated.