chair. She was greatly alarmed by all she had heard of vengeful
convicts and the vicious horse, and could eat no more for nervous dread.

"That horse has killed his man, and you know it," said Gettysburg in a
whisper that the girl distinctly overhead. "Boy, boy, let the Injun
ride him first."

"There, there, ease off," Van answered quietly. "You keep the women
entertained about the mill while Suvy and I are debating."

He gulped down a last drink of coffee, silenced the miner's further
remonstrances, and departed by way of the kitchen door.

Beth arose hurriedly and hastened forth, intent upon immediate
prevention, if possible, of any further ordeals undertaken in behalf of
herself. She was thoroughly frightened. A prescience of something
ominous impending seemed to grip her very heart. She glanced about,
helplessly, unfamiliar with the place. Van was nowhere in sight. She
started to run around the cabin when Gettysburg appeared in her path.

"Well, well," said he nervously, "now who'd a-thought you'd finished
eatin'?"

"Oh please," she said, "please go tell Mr. Van I'd rather he wouldn't
attempt to ride _any_ horse again to-day. Will you please go tell him
that?"

"You bet your patent leathers!" said Gettysburg. "You just go over and
globe-trot the quartz-mill while I'm gone, and we'll fix things right
in a shake."