with the girl. 'There's Reddy, from your ranch now, ma'am,' says
he, and when he caught sight of me, 'What's the matter, Red; are
the Injuns up?'

"Darragh was a serious Irishman, and that's the mournfullest thing
on top of the globe; and besides, he believed anything you'd tell
him. There ain't any George Washington strain in my stock, so I
proceeded to get out of trouble.

"'They ain't up exactly,' says I, 'but it looked as if they were a
leetle on the rise, and being as I had a lady to look out for, I
thought I'd play safe.'

"The colour kind of went out of the girl's cheeks. Eastern folks
are scandalous afraid of Injuns.

"'Perhaps I'd better not start?' says she.

"'Don't you be scart, miss,' says Darragh. 'You're all right as
long as you're with Red--he's the toughest proposition we've got in
this part of the country.'

"'I'm obliged to you, Darragh,' says I. He meant well, but hell's
full of them people. I'd have given a month's wages for one lick
at him. Nice reputation to give me before that girl! She eyed me
mighty doubtful.

"I stepped up to her, with my hat in my hand. 'Miss Andree,' says
I (she was Jonesy's sisters child), 'if you come along with me I'll
guarantee you a safe journey. If any harm reaches you it will be