he knew Curly better than any of the men gathered there.




CHAPTER VIII

LOVE VERSUS GOLD

The next day Reynolds spent as usual out in the hills, though he did no
hunting. When not stretched out upon the ground, he was wandering
aimlessly around wherever his spirit listed. He had no more interest
in the mountain sheep, and he passed several fine flocks without firing
a shot. His thoughts were elsewhere, upon game of far greater
importance. He had spent a sleepless night, for Curly's action not
only annoyed but disgusted him. He did not wish to remain near such a
cur, and the sooner he left, the better it would be for both of them.
His only desire was to be left alone, and that seemed impossible so
long as he stayed at Big Draw. But where could he go, and what should
he do? Had he not met Glen Weston it would be an easy task to leave
the north at once. But since she was here, and just beyond the hills,
he could not bear the thought of going away without seeing her again.

As he lay under a big tree, there suddenly came into his mind the old
fairy tale of "The Sleeping Beauty and the Enchanted Palace." He
smiled as he recalled it now, for was not he himself something like the
young knight who faced all manner of difficulties and won the prize?
But the knight of the fairy tale did not have to contend with a
desperate father and a tribe of Indians, as all the people connected
with the ancient story were asleep. This was a much more difficult