"I am very much obliged, sir," she replied, "but--"

"Don't be afeard, mum," said Buffle, hastily. "We're rough, but a lady's
as safe here as she'd be among her family. Ye'll have the cabin all to
yerself, an' I'll leave a revolver with yer to make yer feel better."

"You are very kind, sir, but--it will take me some time to get back."

"Horse lame, p'r'aps?"

"No, sir; the truth is, I walked."

"Good God!" ejaculated Buffle; "I'll kill any scoundrel of a
station-agent that'll let a woman take such a walk as this. I'll take
you back on a good horse before noon to-morrow, and I'll put a hole
through that rascal right before your eyes, mum."

Mrs. Berryn shuddered, at sight of which Buffle mentally consigned his
eyes to a locality boasting a superheated atmosphere, for talking so
roughly to a lady.

"Don't harm him, Mr. Buffle," said she. "He knew nothing about it. I
asked him the road to Fat Pocket Gulch, and he pointed it out. He did
not know but what I had a horse or a carriage. Unfortunately, the stage
was robbed the day before yesterday, and all my money was taken, or I
should not have walked here, I assure you. My passage is paid to San
Francisco, and the driver told me that if I wished to come down here,
the next stage would take me through to San Francisco. When I get there,
I can soon obtain money from the East."