Seth had been unprepared for this outburst. It took him quite aback, and he felt a great lump rise in his throat. Unconsciously he almost roughly released his hand. But the next moment it was laid tenderly upon the bowed head. "Git up, little gal," he said. And there was a world of tenderness in his voice. His effort at self-restraint was great, but his feelings found a certain amount of expression in spite of him, for he was stirred to the depths of his loyal heart. He was face to face with a scene such as he had never even pictured. His sense of duty was powerless just then before his deep, strong love for the girl. "Little Rosebud," he went on, and he struggled hard to make his words rough, "ther's things to do. Go right back to Ma an' help her. I must go out to Rube. He's doin' all the work, an' so is she." The girl made no move to rise. Her sobs were heart-breaking. Seth turned sharply and left her where she was. He simply dared not stay there another moment. Outside General was lying a few yards away from the house, crouched alertly, and gazing out prairiewards. He called the dog to him. "Injuns, boy," he said, in a low tone. "S-seek 'em!" The dog responded with a low growl, and then moved off out into the darkness, with the prowling gait of a puma stalking its prey. "He'll keep us posted," Seth observed quietly to Rube. "You kind o' understan' him." "He understands Injuns," the dog's master returned significantly. No more was said for a while, and the two men peered out into the darkness with eyes trained to such watchfulness. "'Bout them tents?" said Rube later on. "They're the troops. The postmaster told me they were comin' hard." "Kind o' handy." It was very dark. The moon had not yet risen. Presently Seth fetched a chair. The older man watched him seat himself a little wearily. "Hurt some?" he said. "Jest a notion," Seth replied in his briefest manner. "Say, you got around jest in time." "Yup. Wanaha put me wise after I left here, so I came that aways. Say, this is jest the beginnin'." "You think----" "Ther's more comin'. Guess the troops 'll check it some. But--say, this feller's worse'n his father. Guess he's jest feelin' his feet. An' he's gettin' all the Pine Ridge lot with him--I located that as I came along." They talked on for some time longer, in their slow, short way discussing their plans. The one topic they did not discuss was Rosebud. They tacitly ignored her share in the evening's work like men who knew that certain blame must attach to her and refused to bestow it. The night dragged slowly on. Rube wanted Seth to go in and rest, but Seth sat in his chair with dogged persistence. So they shared the vigil.