"I'd lay you across my knee an' give you a wallopin', if womenfolk
wasn't so scarce in this country," Shorty assured her.

"Your father didn't sprain a tendon, but waited till we were out of
sight and then went on?" Smoke asked.

She nodded.

"And you were the decoy."

Again she nodded, and this time Smoke's laughter rang out clear and
true. It was the spontaneous laughter of a frankly beaten man.

"Why don't you get angry with me?" she queried ruefully. "Or--or
wallop me?"

"Well, we might as well be starting back," Shorty urged. "My feet's
gettin' cold standin' here."

Smoke shook his head.

"That would mean four hours lost. We must be eight miles up this
Creek now, and from the look ahead Norway is making a long swing
south. We'll follow it, then cross over the divide somehow, and tap
Squaw Creek somewhere above Discovery." He looked at Joy. "Won't
you come along with us? I told your father we'd look after you."

"I--" She hesitated. "I think I shall, if you don't mind." She
was looking straight at him, and her face was no longer defiant and