"I didn't know who you were," she explained, proudly.

"Would it have made any difference if y'u had?"

Again the angry flush touched her cheeks. "Not a bit. I would
have saved you in order to have you properly hanged later," she
cut back promptly.

He shook his head gayly. "I'm ce'tainly going to disappoint y'u
some. Your enterprising punchers may collect me yet, but not
alive, I reckon."

"I'll give them strict orders to bring you in alive."

"Did you ever want the moon when y'u was a little kid?" he asked.

"We'll see, Mr. Outlaw Bannister."

He laughed softly, in the quiet, indolent fashion that would have
been pleasant if it had not been at her. "It's right kind of you
to take so much interest in me. I'd most be willing to oblige by
letting your boys rope me to renew this acquaintance, ma'am."
Then, "I get out here Miss Messiter, he added.

She stopped on the instant. Plainly she could not get rid of him
too soon. "Haven't you forgot one thing?" she asked, ironically.

"Yes, ma'am. To thank you proper for what y'u did for me." He
limped gingerly down from the car and stood with his hand on one
of the tires. "I have been trying to think how to say it right;