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"Y'u y'u shot him!" he shrieked. "What for y'u hussy? ... Ellen Jorth, if y'u've killed him, I'll..." He strode toward where Colter lay. Then Jean, rising silently, took a step and like a tiger he launched himself into the air, down upon the rustler. Even as he leaped Springer gave a quick, upward look. And he cried out.
Then he whipped out his gun and wheeled to face the girl. "Ellen, y'u've got your half-breed heah!" he said, with a terrible smile. She neither moved nor spoke. There was a suggestion of collapse, but it was only a change where the alluring softness of her hardened into a strange, rapt glow. And in it seemed the same mastery that had characterized her former aspect.
The sinister face of the man from the Shoshones darkened. "Y'u've signed your own death warrants," he let out through set teeth, and at the word swung on his heel. "The ball's about to open. Pardners for a waltz. Have a dust-cutter, Mac, before she grows warm." The puncher handed over his flask, and the other held it before his eye and appraised the contents in approved fashion.
"Jean, I take particular pains to show y'u where this hole is," said Blue, "because if the gang runs out y'u could duck in there an' hide. An' if they run out into the yard wal, y'u'd make it a sorry run fer them.... Wal, when y'u've crawled up close to Greaves's back door, an' waited long enough to see an' listen then you're to run fast an' swing your ax smash ag'in' the winder.
Back in Boston they figure more, and since y'u used to go to school back there y'u hadn't ought to throw down your professor of ethics." "Don't you think you have talked enough for the present?" she smiled, and added: "If I make you talk whenever I sit beside you I shall have to stay away." "That's where y'u've ce'tainly got the drop on me, ma'am. I'm a clam till y'u give the word."
And don't y'u like the system of lighting? 'Twas patented I forget how many million years ago. Y'u ain't going to play parlor girl now after getting the reputation y'u've got for gameness, are y'u?" But he knew well enough that it was no silly schoolgirl fear she had, but some deep instinct in her that distrusted him and warned her to beware.
Said she, after that first clash of stormy eyes with bold, admiring ones: "I am lost from the Lazy D ranch." "Why, no, you're found," he corrected, white teeth flashing in a smile. "My motor ran out of gasolene this afternoon. I've been" there was a catch in her voice "wandering ever since." "You're played out, of course, and y'u've had no supper," he said, his quiet close gaze on her.
Blaisdell, Gordon, Fredericks, Blue they'll all be in it." "Who are they goin' to fight?" queried Ellen, sharply. "Wal, the open talk is thet the sheepmen are forcin' this war. But thar's talk not so open, an' I reckon not very healthy for any man to whisper hyarbouts." "Uncle John, y'u needn't be afraid to tell me anythin'," said Ellen. "I'd never give y'u away. Y'u've been a good friend to me."
The stranger was coming to be formally introduced. "Shake hands with Mr. Holloway, Miss Messiter. He's from up in the hill country and he rode to our frolic. Y'u've got three guesses to figure out what he's made up as." "One will be quite enough, I think," she answered coldly. Fraser departed on his destination with the coffee and the newcomer sat down on the bench beside her.
"Did y'u tell the truth when y'u denied ever bein' a sweetheart of Simm Bruce?" "Yes, I told y'u the truth." "Ahuh! An' how do y'u account for layin' me out with every dirty name y'u could give tongue to?" "Oh, it was temper. I wanted to be let alone." "Temper! Wal, I reckon y'u've got one," he retorted, grimly. "An' I'm not shore y'u're not crazy or lyin'. An hour ago I couldn't touch y'u."
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