He got to his feet and walked to a window and he looked out. Finally he came back and sat down. “I don’t see where your blood would make any difference,” said June. “Don’t yuh? Yo’re a white woman; would you marry a half-breed?” “Why, I--I never thought of that.” “You wouldn’t. Perhaps there are white women who would, but they’d not be the kind I’d want. I don’t want to marry an Injun girl--so there yuh are. I’m only half good enough to marry a white woman, and I’ve got too much white blood to marry an Indian. Everybody hates a breed. Oh, yes they do. Even the Injuns hate a breed. “Do yuh know what they say about a half-breed? They say he inherits the vices of both sides and the virtues of neither. Mebbe that’s right.” “What about Buck Priest--did Reber steal his cattle?” “I think so, ma’am. But this ain’t lettin’ us in on the secret of things. Why do yuh suppose McLeese and Bell tied you up. Who kidnapped yuh, and what was their object? I’m gettin’ kinda anxious. Bell rode away, and he might come back in force. I’d hate to have yuh penned in here with me if Reber’s men try to catch me. I’ve got my own gun and the one McLeese had. If Reber found me here with you he’d hang me--especially if he found McLeese dead on the porch.” “Then you’d better go away,” said June. “I can get along all right, I guess.” “I guess yuh can’t. After them fellers tied yuh up and tried to lock yuh in that room? We’ll find a horse to ride and I’ll take yuh over to my place. At least you’ll be safe over there.” June shook her head quickly. “No, I’ll stay here.” “Then I’ll stay with yuh.” “And get hung for being here?” “Mebbe. I’d sure hate myself all the rest of my life if I left yuh here alone and anythin’ happened to yuh.” “Why would you care?” “I’m half white.” “And you’d do this, even after I forced you to lead me here with a rope around your neck.” “That wasn’t anythin’. You didn’t pull it tight,” he smiled at her and went to the front door. “We’ve got to kinda make this place bull-tight,” he said. “Yore name’s June, ain’t it? I heard it was. I’ll call yuh June. It’s easier to say than ma’am. My name’s Jack. Prob’ly be mud before mornin’.” “Mr. Reber will come looking for me,” said June. “Yea-a-ah, and he’ll find me,” laughed Jack. “But I’ve got a hunch that Mr. Reber is goin’ to have a hard time gettin’ here.” “They spoke about the road being guarded. Did they mean against Mr. Reber?” “Might be. We’ll just wait and see what happens.” * * * * * Buck Priest and his men went back to the ranch and packed two horses with blankets and enough food to last them several days. It was about dark when they headed southeast toward the Porcupine hills. Priest’s idea was to travel along the Porcupine for a way and then turn south toward the Circle S.