"Well," said Andrew, "I think you've got me, Hank. I suppose I ought to send you to death before me, but, to tell you the straight of it, I'm not going to, because I'm sort of sick. Sick, you understand? Tell me one thing--are the boys here yet? Are they scattered around the edge of the clearing, or are they on the way? Hank, was it worth five thousand to double-cross a gent that's your guest--a fellow that's busted bread with you, bunked in the same room with you? And even when they've drilled me clean, and you've got the reward, don't you know that you'll be a skunk among real men from this time on? Did you figure on that when you sold me?" The hands of Hank Rainer fell suddenly, but now lower than his beard. The fingers thrust at his throat--he seemed to be tearing his own flesh. "Pull the trigger, Andy," he said. "Go on. I ain't fit to live." "Why did you do it, Hank?" "I wanted a new set of traps, Andy; that was what I wanted. I'd been figurin' and schemin' all autumn how to get my traps before the winter comes on. My own wasn't any good. Then I seen that fur coat of yours. It set me thinking about what I could do if I had some honest-to-goodness traps with springs in 'em that would hold--and--I stood it as long as I could." While he spoke, Andrew looked past him, through the door. All the world was silver beyond. The snow had been falling, and on the first great peak there was a glint of the white, very pure and chill against the sky. The very air was keen and sweet. Ah, it was a world to live in, and he was not ready to die! He looked back to Hank Rainer. "Hank, my time was sure to come sooner or later, but I'm not ready to die. I'm--I'm too young, Hank. Well, good-by!" He found gigantic arms spreading before him. "Andy," insisted the big man, "it ain't too late for me to double-cross 'em. Let me go out first and you come straight behind me. They won't fire; they'll think I've got a new plan for givin' you up. When we get to the circle of 'em, because they're all round the cabin, we'll drive at 'em together. Come on!" "Wait a minute. Is Hal Dozier out there?" "Yes. Oh, go on and curse me, Andy. I'm cursin' myself!" "If he's there, it's no use. But there's no use two dyin' when I try to get through. Only one thing, Hank; if you want to keep your self-respect don't take the reward money." "I'll see it burn first, and I'm goin' with you, Andy!" "You stay where you are; this is my party. Before the finish of the dance I'm going to see if some of those sneaks out yonder, lyin' so snug, won't like to step right out and do a caper with me!" And before the trapper could make a protest he had drawn back into the horse shed.