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It was difficult, because she divined Pearce's curiosity held a trap to catch her in a falsehood. He knew they all knew she was not Kells's wife. But if she were a prisoner she seemed a willing and contented one. The query that breathed in Pearce's presence was how was he to reconcile the fact of her submission with what he and his comrades had potently felt as her goodness?
Joan became aware of a singular tremor in Kells's arm, which she still clasped. Suddenly it jerked. She caught a gleam of blue. Then the bellow of a gun almost split her ears. Powder burned her cheek. She saw Frenchy double up and collapse on the platform. For an instant there was a silence in which every man seemed petrified. Then burst forth a hoarse uproar and the stamp of many boots.
But whatever he had intended to say, he thought better of, withholding it. Kells's sudden look and movement were unmistakable. The goddess of chance, as false as the bandit's vanity, played with him. He brightened under a streak of winning. But just as his face began to lose its haggard shade, to glow, the tide again turned against him.
She arranged her own saddle and blankets near him, and prepared to meet the night as best she could. Instinctively she took a position where in one swift snatch she could get possession of Kells's gun. It was about time of sunset, warm and still in the canon, with rosy lights fading upon the peaks. The men were all busy with one thing and another.
Another muttering among the men attested to the good sense and good will of Kells's suggestion. "Tell me what you're going to do how you'll operate," replied Gulden. Keils had difficulty in restraining his impatience and annoyance. "What's that to you or any of you?" he queried. "You all know I'm the man to think of things. That's been proved. First it takes brains. I'll furnish them.
The bandit was a study. His astonishment was terrific and held him like a chain. Suddenly he lurched. "What did you say?" he roared, his face flaming. "I can't marry you to a woman who already has a husband." Swift as light the red flashed out of Kells's face. "Did you ever see her before?" he asked. "Yes," replied the preacher. "Where and when?" "Here at the back of this cabin a few nights ago."
The place was getting packed with men. Kells's party encountered Blicky and Beady Jones together. They passed by as strangers. Then Joan saw Beard and Chick Williams arm in arm, strolling about, like roystering miners. Williams telegraphed a keen, fleeting glance at Kells, then went on, to be lost in the crowd.
"Not quite," replied Gulden, and he seemed as near a laugh as was possible for him. "Well, I've enough mind left not to set a boy to kill such a man as you." Gulden might have been susceptible to flattery. He turned to his men. They, too, had felt Kells's subtle influence. They were ready to veer round like weather-vanes.
It so chanced that Joan sat directly opposite Jim Cleve, and while he ate he pressed her foot with his under the table. The touch thrilled Joan. Jim did not glance at her, but there was such a change in him that she feared it might rouse Kells's curiosity. This night, however, the bandit could not have seen anything except a gleam of yellow. He talked, he sat at table, but did not eat.
"If it ain't Jim an' Kells's girl Dandy Dale!" ejaculated Smith. "Fellers, this means somethin'.... Say, youngster, hope you ain't hurt or the girl?" "No. But that's not your fault," replied Cleve. "Why did you want to plug the coach full of lead?" "This beats me," said Smith. "Kells sent you out in the stage!
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