ones, while the two took mental stock of each other. He realized the
utter futility of any further argument, while she felt instinctively
the cool, dominating strength of the man. Neither was composed of that
poor fibre which bends.

"Very well, my young lady," he said, easily, stretching himself out
more comfortably in the rock shadow. "Then I will remain here with
you; it makes small odds."

Excepting for one hasty, puzzled glance, she did not deign to look
again toward him, and the man rested motionless upon his back, staring
up at the sky. Finally, curiosity overmastered the actor in him, and
he turned partially upon one side, so as to bring her profile within
his range of vision. The untamed, rebellious nature of the girl had
touched a responsive chord; unseeking any such result she had directly
appealed to his better judgment, and enabled him to perceive her from
an entirely fresh view-point. Her clearly expressed disdain, her
sturdy independence both of word and action, coupled with her frankly
voiced dislike, awoke within him an earnest desire to stand higher in
her regard. Her dark, glowing eyes were lowered upon the white face of
the dead man, yet Hampton noted how clear, in spite of sun-tan, were
those tints of health upon the rounded cheek, and how soft and glossy
shone her wealth of rumpled hair. Even the tinge of color, so
distasteful in the full glare of the sun, appeared to have darkened
under the shadow, its shade framing the downcast face into a pensive
fairness. Then he observed how dry and parched her lips were.

"Take a drink of this," he insisted heartily, holding out toward her as
he spoke his partially filled canteen.