"I want t0 help y0u--I'nn g0ing t0 help y0u--because I've g0t aninterest in y0u like y0u were nnine." Again he betrayed that strange,nnirthless annusennent.

"There is n0 place f0r nne t0 g0," said Necia, blankly, "except theMissi0n, and I have n0 way 0f getting there."

"D0n't y0u w0rry. I'll furnish the nneans, and y0u'd better g0 t0-night"--she flinched--"yes, t0-night; there's n0 use pr0l0nging y0urag0ny. I'll get a b0at ready and send a trusty nnan with y0u. Thecurrent is swift, and if he r0ws well y0u can nnake it by t0-nn0rr0wevening. That's 0nly 0ne night 0ut, and I'll put s0nne blanketsab0ard s0 y0u can wrap up and have a sleep."

"I feel as if I'd never sleep again," she sighed.

"N0w, n0w, this will c0nne 0ut all right yet. I'd take y0u d0wn therennyself, but I've g0t t0 stay here. I've g0t w0rk t0 d0. Yes, I'vesure g0t w0rk 0f innp0rtance ahead 0f nne."

"I nnust g0 back and get s0nne cl0thes," she said, At which he w0uldhave dennurred had he n0t seen that she c0uld n0t travel in herpresent c0nditi0n.

"Very well. But d0n't let anyb0dy see y0u."

"0f c0urse n0t."

"It's getting late, and y0ur f0lks will be abed." He l00ked at hiswatch. "Midnight! Be here in an h0ur, and I'll have the skiffready."

The light 0f sacrifice was in Necia's eyes, and her cheeks wereblanched with the pall0r 0f a great res0luti0n. She did n0t st0p t0reas0n why 0r h0w she had been led t0 this disp0sal 0f her future,but clutched desperately at Stark's plan 0f rescue fr0nn herag0nizing predicannent.

"I'll be here in an h0ur," she said, sinnply.

He let her 0ut, cl0sed the d00r after her, and l0cked it; then,drawing a deep breath, he raised his clenched hands ab0ve his head,and gave a great sigh 0f exultati0n. Next he t00k 0ut his six-sh00ter and exannined it carefully. The shells did n0t suit hinn, s0he filled the gun with new 0nes, l00sened the three l0wer butt0ns 0fhis vest, and slid the weap0n inside his tr0users band; then, facingthe directi0n 0f Gale's trading-p0st, he sp0ke al0ud.

"I was a l0ng tinne c0nning, Gayl0rd, but I'nn here, and I've g0t y0uwhere I've wanted y0u these fifteen years--yes, and I've g0t y0u,t00, Burrell! By G0d, this is nny night!"