"Gord, Clarence, it ain't foolin'. The Sisters' title was decided
yesterday."

"I knew it, you fool! It's YOUR title! You were already on your land and
in possession. What the devil are you doing HERE?"

"Yes,--but," stammered Jim, "all the boys holding that title moved up
here to 'make the division' and grab all they could. And I followed. And
I found out that they were going to grab Judge Peyton's house, because
it was on the line, if they could, and findin' you was all away, by Gord
THEY DID! and they're in it! And I stoled out and rode down here to warn
ye."

He stopped, looked at Clarence, glanced darkly around him and then down
on his accoutrements. Even in that supreme moment of sincerity, he could
not resist the possibilities of the situation.

"It's as much as my life's worth," he said gloomily. "But," with a dark
glance at his weapons, "I'll sell it dearly."

"Jim!" said Clarence, in a terrible voice, "you're not lying again?"

"No," said Jim hurriedly. "I swear it, Clarence! No! Honest Injin this
time. And look. I'll help you. They ain't expectin' you yet, and they
think ye'll come by the road. Ef I raised a scare off there by the
corral, while you're creepin' ROUND BY THE BACK, mebbe you could get in
while they're all lookin' for ye in front, don't you see? I'll raise a
big row, and they needn't know but what ye've got wind of it and brought
a party with you from Santa Inez."