Peggy now ran into the cabin. "It's the expedition," she announced. "I can see Freeman." "I reckon this is where I get off," said the outlaw in a tone of mingled relief and dismay. "No, no!" Alice entreated. "Stay till Freeman comes. He will help you. Let me explain to him. I know he will not betray you." He looked at her again with that intent, longing worship in his eyes, and answered, "I accept the chance for the sake of one more hour with you." The outlaw stepped to the door, and he saw a man at the head of his train mid-leg deep in snow, leading his horse, breaking the way for his followers, who were all on foot, crawling, stumbling, and twisting among the down-timber, unmindful of the old trail. At sight of that big and resolute leader, with flowing black beard and ruddy face, the outlaw was filled with jealous sadness. To find Ward a man of superb physical prowess, the kind that measures peaks for the fun of it, was disturbing, and without defining his feeling he was plunged into melancholy musing. And when later Ward entered, and, stooping over the couch, kissed Alice, the end of his idyl seemed to him announced. In the bustle of the moment, in the interchange of anxious, hurried inquiries, the outlaw stood aside in the corner, unnoticed, till Alice caught Ward's arm and said: "Freeman, this is Mr. Smith, to whom we owe a great deal. He has taken the utmost care of us. We would have frozen but for him." Ward shook hands with the outlaw, but wonderingly asked of Alice, "But where was Gage?" The outlaw answered, "Gage got lost and only turned up a couple of hours ago." Ward turned to Alice in horror. "Good Lord! And you were here alone--crippled--in this storm?" "No--that's what I'm telling you. Mr. Smith came and took care of us. He brought our wood, he cooked for us, he kept our fire going. He gave up his bed, even his blankets, for us. You should be very generous to him." Ward again reached a hearty hand. "I'm tremendously obliged to you." The outlaw quailed under all this praise. "There was mighty little to do," he answered. "I only shared my fire with them." Ward studied him closer. "Haven't we met before?" "No, I reckon not." "I'm quite sure I've seen you somewhere. What are you doing up in here?" Alice interposed. "What are we going to do?" Ward turned to the outlaw. "What would you advise? I've only had one idea, and that was to reach this cabin. Now what would you do?" The outlaw was ready. "I would send a part of the men with the horses down the valley to grass and I'd wait here till Miss Mansfield is able to ride." "Will this snow go off?" "That's my notion." "It's certain we can't camp here--the horses must have grass." "I'll be able to ride in a day or two," Alice said, bravely. "We could frame up a portable bed and carry you," suggested the outlaw; "but it can't be done to-night, so you'd better send your outfit down to the marsh to camp. The horses are worn out and so are the men."