Sanderson was in doubt about the other young woman, though obviously
she was closely related to him--a wife, or sister--perhaps a sweetheart.

Sanderson studied the young man's face, comparing it with the big
man's, and his lips stiffened. He backed Streak slightly and swung
crosswise in the saddle, intense interest seizing him.

The big man grinned, first at Miss Bransford, and then at the other
girl.

"I reckon that settles it," he said. "There don't seem to be nothin'
more to it. Miss Bransford says the cattle is hers, an' we found them
in Ben Nyland's corral. There ain't-----"

"Alva Dale, you are a sneak and a liar!"

This was the girl. She had stepped forward until she was within a
short pace from the big man. She stood erect, rigid, her hands
clenched at her sides; her chin lifted, her eyes flashing with defiant
passion.

Dale smirked at her.

"Peggy Nyland," he said, "you're handin' it to me pretty strong, ain't
you? You'd fight for your brother's life, of course. But I represent
the law here, an' I've got to do my duty. You won't deny that we found
them steers in your brother's corral?"

"No, I can't deny that!" declared the girl passionately. "You found