As the day advanced the sun burned clear. At noon it was warm enough to leave the door open, and Alice, catching glimpses of the flaming world of silver and purple and gold, was filled with a desire to quit her dark corner. "I'm going to get up!" she exclaimed. "I won't lie here any longer." "Don't try it!" protested Peggy. "I'm going to do it!" she insisted. "I can hobble to the door if you help me." "I'll carry you," said the outlaw. "Wrap her up and I'll get her a seat." And so, while Mrs. Adams wrapped her patient in a blanket, the outlaw dragged one of the rough, ax-hewn benches to the door and covered it with blankets. He put a stone to heat and then re-entered just as Alice, supported by Peggy, was setting foot to the floor. Swiftly, unhesitating, and very tenderly he put his arms about her and lifted her to the bench in the doorway before the fire. It was so sweet to feel that wondrous body in his arms. His daring to do it surprised her, but her own silent acquiescence, and the shiver of pleasure which came with the embarrassment of it, confused and troubled her. "That's better," he said as he dropped to the ground and drew the blankets close about her feet. "I'll have a hot stone for you in a minute." He went about these ministrations with an inward ecstasy which shone in his eyes and trembled in his voice. But as she furtively studied his face and observed the tremor of his hands in tender ministration she lost all fear of him. After three days in her dark corner of the hut the sunshine was wondrously inspiring to the girl, although the landscape on which she gazed was white and wild as December. It was incredible that only a few hours lay between the flower-strewn valley of her accident and this silent and desolate, yet beautiful, wilderness of snow. And so, as she looked into the eyes of the outlaw, it seemed as though she had known him from spring to winter, and her wish to help him grew with every hour of their acquaintanceship. She planned his defense before Ward and Adams. "When they know how kind and helpful he has been they can but condone his one rash deed," she argued in conclusion. He was sitting at her feet, careless of time, the law, content with her nearness, and mindful only of her comfort, when a distant rifle-shot brought him to his feet with the swiftness of the startled stag. "That's your expedition," he said, "or some one who needs help." Again the shots rang out, _one_, _two_, _three_--_one_, _two_, _three_. "It's a signal! It's your party!" Peggy uttered a cry of joy and rushed outside, but Alice turned an unquiet gaze on the outlaw. "You'd better fly!" "What is the use?" he answered, bitterly. "The snow is so deep there is no show to cross the range, and my horse is weak and hungry." Gage appeared at the door. "Lemme take your gun, stranger; I want to answer the signal." "Where's your own?" "I left it on my horse," the old man answered, sheepishly.