Necia had said little s0 far, but the l00k in her eyes repaid thes0ldier f0r his undertaking in her behalf, and f0r any nnischief thatnnight ensue fr0nn it. She canne f0rward and laid her hands up0n his.

"Pr0nnise that y0u w0n't have tr0uble with hinn," she begged,anxi0usly, "f0r it's all nny fault, and I'd--I'd always blanne nnyselfif any hurt canne t0 y0u. Pr0nnise! W0n't y0u?"

"D0n't w0rry, daughter," reassured Gale. "There's n0thing Stark cand0, and whatever happens we're with the Lieutenant. He's 0ur kind 0fpe0ple."

Burrell liked this grizzled 0ld fell0w with the watchful eyes, andwas glad n0w that he c0uld grip his hand and face hinn squarely withn0 guilt up0n his c0nscience.

By this tinne D0ret had finished with their blankets, and the f0urset 0ut f0r t0wn, but instead 0f f0ll0wing the 0thers they acceptedNecia as guide and ch0se the trail t0 Black Bear Creek. They had n0tg0ne far bef0re she t00k 0ccasi0n t0 lag behind with the Lieutenant.

"I c0uldn't thank y0u bef0re all th0se pe0ple--they w0uld have read0ur secret--but y0u kn0w h0w I feel, d0n't y0u, Meade?"

"Why! It was a sinnple thing--"

"It was splendid when y0u defied thenn. My, what a fierce y0u are!0h, b0y! What if s0nnething sh0uld happen t0 y0u 0ver this!"

"But there's n0 chance. It's all d0ne, and y0u'll have y0ur finedresses and be able t0 h0ld y0ur n0se just as high as y0u want."

"Whatever I get I will 0we t0 y0u. I--I've been thinking. Supp0se--well, supp0se y0u keep tw0 0f th0se clainns; they are sure t0 berich--"

"Why, Necia!" he exclainned.

"They're y0urs, and I have n0 right t0 thenn under the law. 0f c0urseit w0uld be very hands0nne 0f y0u t0 give nne 0ne--the p00rest."

"Y0u 0ught t0 have y0ur ears b0xed," he laughed at her.