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Updated: July 26, 2025
They had just seated themselves when the two gamblers returned, followed by Durade. He was rubbing his hands in satisfaction. "What was the fuss about?" queried Hough, tipping the ashes off his cigar. "Some drunks after money they had lost." "And got thrown out for their pains?" inquired Ancliffe. "Yes. Mull and Fresno are out there now." The game was taken up again.
"He's goin' to the bad," he went on, with his big hand indicating the door. "Benton's too hot fer his kind. He'll not git up some fine mornin'.... An' you'd better cotton to me. You ain't his kin an' he hates you an' you hate him. I seen thet. I'm no fool. I'm sorta gone on you. I wish I hadn't fetched you back to him." "Fresno, I'll tell Durade," replied Allie, forcing her lips to be firm.
He was not a kind man not the sort I admired.... I met Durade. He was a Spaniard a blue-blooded adventurer. I ran off with him. We joined the gold-seekers traveling to California. You were born out there in 1850.... It has been a hard life. But I taught you I did all I could for you. I kept my secret from you and his! ... Lately I could endure it no longer. I've run off from Durade."
Hundreds and thousands of men were there together, and as the night advanced the low roar rose and fell, and lulled away to come again strange, sad, hideous, mirthful. For a long time Allie could not sleep. Next morning Durade called her. When she unlaced the canvas flaps, it was to see the sun high and to hear the bustle of work all about her.
For hours it kept her awake; and when she did fall asleep it was so late in the night that, upon awakening next day, she thought it must be noon or later. That day passed and another night came. It brought a change in that the house she was in became alive and roaring. Durade had gotten his establishment under way. Allie lay in sleepless suspense.
I have been threatened so that until now I feared to tell anyone. But Durade he is going mad. I I can bear it no longer." "Miss Lee, you shall not bear it," declared Ancliffe. "We'll take you out of here." "How?" queried Hough, shortly. Ancliffe was for walking right out with her, but Hough shook his head. "Listen," began Allie, hurriedly. "He would kill me the instant I tried to escape.
His lips trembled, his eyes glittered, his fingers clawed at the air. For Allie it was a relief when Durade left her. He had almost reached the apex of his fortunes and the inevitable end. Allie realized that if she were ever to lift a hand to save herself she must do so at once. This was a fixed and desperate thought in her mind when Durade called her to her work.
"Can we get out this way?" he asked. "There's a window," replied Allie. "Ancliffe, open it and get her out. I'll stop Durade if he comes in. Hurry!" While the Englishman opened the window Hough stood in front of the door with both arms extended. Allie could just see his tall form in the pale gloom.
Allie saw about eight or ten men who resembled miners or laborers. Durade led her to a table that had been placed under some shelves which were littered with bottles and glasses. He gave her instructions what to do when called upon, saying that Stitt would help her; then motioning her to a chair, he went back to the men. It was difficult for her to raise her eyes, and she could not at once do so.
That day Durade caused to be erected tents, canopies, tables, benches, and last a larger tent, into which the tables and benches were carried. Fresno worked hard, as did all the men except Stitt, who had nothing to do but watch Allie's wagon. Wearily the time passed for her. How many days must she spend thus, watching idly, because there was nothing else to do?
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