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His eyes were hazel, his features regular, his face bronzed. All men of the open had still, lean, strong faces, but added to this in him was a steadiness of expression, a restraint that seemed to hide sadness. "Howdy, Columbine!" he said. "What are you doing up here? You might get run over." "Hello, Wils!" she replied, slowly. "Oh, I guess I can keep out of the way."
The next minute I feel it I trust it, myself.... Wade, you're not you can't be infallible!" "I'm only a man, Wils, an' your friend. I reckon you do find me queer. But that's no matter. Now let's look at this deal each from his own side of the fence. An' each actin' up to his own lights! You do what your conscience dictates, always thinkin' of Collie not of yourself!
"Yes, I'm sure I don't," replied Columbine, with tingling cheeks. "Wal, I'm glad of thet. Reckon it'll be no great matter whether Wils stays or leaves. If he wants to I'll give him a job with the hounds." That evening Columbine went to her room early. It was a cozy little blanketed nest which she had arranged and furnished herself.
Red tinged his cheek and a flame flared in his eyes. "Wils, you done me dirt," he said, wrathfully. "An' I always swore by you.... Make a clean breast of the whole damn bizness, if you want me to treat you white. You must have been locoed or drunk, to double-cross me thet way. Come on, out with it." "I've nothing to say," replied Moore.
"Wils, I reckon Collie is right. You haven't got Old Bill figured. I know," interposed Wade, with one of his forceful gestures. "Wilson, listen, and don't set your heart against me. For I must do this thing," pleaded Columbine. "I heard dad swear he'd kill Jack. Oh, I'll never forget! He was terrible!
"Boot's on the other foot now, pard," said Moore, with delight at the prospect of returning service. "Say, you're all shot up! And it's I who'll be nurse!" "Wils, I'll be around to-morrow," replied the hunter. "Have you heard any news from down below?" "Sure. I've met Lem every night." Then he related Burley's version of Wade's fight with the rustlers in the cabin.
He led her down the porch to the door of her room, and as he pushed it open he whispered, "I will save you, Collie, an' Wils, an' the old man you call dad!" Then he returned to the silent group in the yard. "Jim, if I answer fer Wils Moore bein' in Kremmlin' the day you say, will you leave him with me?" "Wal, I shore will, Wade," replied Burley, heartily.
You needn't drop everythin' an' grab me like thet. An' you're white as a sheet, too. It ain't nuthin' much fer a cowboy to hev a hoss fall on him." "Lem Billings, I'll hate you if you don't tell me quick," flashed Columbine, fiercely. "Ahuh! So thet's how the land lays," replied Lem, shrewdly. "Wal, I'm sorry to tell you thet Wils was bad hurt.
My friend, how can you prevent it?" "Wils, fact is, I haven't reckoned out how I'm goin' to save Collie. But that's no matter. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. I will do it. You can gamble on me, Wils. You must use that hope an' faith to help you get well. For we mustn't forget that you're in more danger than Collie."
Reckon the boss'll be glad to take you on." "Is he around?" "Sure. I jest seen him," replied Billings, as he haltered his horses to a post. "I reckon I ought to give you a hunch." "I'd take that as a favor." "Wal, we're short of hands," said the cowboy. "Jest got the round-up over. Hudson was hurt an' Wils Moore got crippled. Then the boss's son has been put on as foreman. Three of the boys quit.
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