your life. My punchers don't love you, and I don't know how long
I can keep them from you. You're not wanted here any more than
you were at the dance the other evening."

McWilliams nodded. "That's right. Y'u better roll your trail,
seh; and if y'u take my advice, you'll throw gravel lively. I
seen two of the boys cutting acrost that pasture five minutes
ago. They looked as if they might be haided to cut y'u off, and I
allow it may be their night to howl. Miss Messiter don't want to
be responsible for y'u getting lead poisoning."

"Indeed!" Their visitor looked politely interested. "This
solicitude for me is very touching. I observe that both of you
are carefully blocking me from the bunkhouse in order to prevent
another practice-shot. If I can't persuade you to join me in a
ride, Miss Messiter, I reckon I'll go while I'm still
unpunctured." He bowed, and gathered the reins for departure.

"One moment! Mr. McWilliams and I are going with you," the girl
announced.

"Changed your mind? Think you'll take a little pasear, after
all?"

"I don't want to be responsible for your killing. We'll see you
safe off the place," she answered curtly.

The foreman fell in on one side of Bannister, his mistress on the
other. They rode in close formation, to lessen the chance of an
ambuscade. Bannister alone chatted at his debonair ease, ignoring