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Updated: June 26, 2025
The lean old fellow who had taken kindly interest in Allie looked in at the opening of the canvas over her wagon, and, wishing her luck, bade her good-by. The women likewise said good-by, informing her that they were going on home. Not one man among those left would Allie have trusted. During the hurried settling of camp Durade came to Allie.
Allie, who was watching and listening with strained faculties, nearly fainted at the sudden mention of her lover Neale and her friend Larry. She went blind for a second; the room turned round and round; she thought her heart would burst with joy. The Englishman hurried out. Durade looked up with a passionate and wolfish swiftness. "What do you mean?"
Allie recognized the whisper before she did the heated, red face with its crooked nose and bold eyes and ugly mouth. Fresno! He must have escaped from the Sioux and fallen in with Durade. Allie shrunk from him. Durade, compared with this kind of ruffian, was a haven of refuge. She passed on without a sign. But Fresno was safe from her.
"An' I happened to be close by thim whin a gurl come out. She was shure purty. But thot sad! Her eyes wor turrible hauntin', an' roight off I wanted to start a foight. She wor lookin' fer Durade, as I seen afterwards. "Wal, the minnit that Lee seen the gurl he acted strange. I wuz standin' close an' I went closer.
"An' when the bees come home with their honey, why, the red ants an' scorpions an' centipedes an' rattlesnakes git busy. I've seen some places in my time, but Benton beats 'em all.... Say, I'll sneak you out at nights to see what's goin' on, an' I'll treat you handsome. I'm sorta " The entrance of Durade cut short Fresno's further speech. "What are you saying to her?" demanded Durade, in anger.
The door opened occasionally, and each time a different man entered, held a moment's whispered conversation with Durade, and then went out. These men were of the same villainous aspect that characterized Fresno. Durade had surrounded himself with lieutenants and comrades who might be counted upon to do anything.
He loved my mother. He does not believe she is dead. He lives only to be revenged upon her ... He has a desperate gang here. Fresno, Mull, Stitt, Black, Grist, Dayss, a greaser called Mex, and others all the worst of bad men. You cannot get me out of here alive except by some trick." "How about bringing the troops?" "Durade would kill me the first thing." "Could we steal you out at night?"
Allie always entered that private den of Durade's with eyes cast down. She had been scorched too often by the glances of men. As she went in this time she felt the presence of gamblers, but they were quieter than those to whom she had become accustomed. Durade ordered her to fetch drinks, then he went on talking, rapidly, in excitement, elated, boastful, almost gay. Allie did not look up.
Suddenly his face had turned white. Allie gazed straight into his eyes, with wonder, pain, suspicion. "My mother! I've not seen her for nearly two years." "My God! What happened? You lost her? You became separated? ... Indians bandits? ... Tell me!" "I have no more to tell," said Allie. His pain revived her own. She pitied Durade.
Actuated by one impulse, Hough and Durade sat down at the table. The others crowded around. Fresno lurched close, with a wicked gleam in his eyes. "I was onto Hough," he said to his nearest ally. "It's the girl he's after!" The gamblers cut the cards for who should deal. Hough won. For him victory seemed to exist in the suspense of the very silence, in the charged atmosphere of the room.
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