"Oh!"

"You're a-going to have old Bull-doze watchin' inside the cabin and ten
decent and sober men watchin' outside it and nothin' short of a
messenger from up-skies could touch one pretty, red-gold curl on your
proud little head."

"Bob, I'll take her home to her mother," spoke up Harry who had never
once taken his bold gaze from the girl.

"No, you won't take her home to her mother, neither!"

Beckey was strangely comforted by the protective drawl of the big man's
voice. Accustomed as she had grown to the rapid transitions of the West,
she realized the fallacy of her first impression from his appearance.
That night laid the foundation of her regard for him, which was deeper
than a mere surface appeal, and which was never to waver.

* * * * *

"H'm," snorted Cornish Jack, shuffling a greasy pack of cards in Sick
Jimmie's place and watching two men go by, "that's the most willin' pair
on the gulch! Bob, he's willin' to do all the work, an' Handsome Harry,
he's willin' to let 'im. Fine house Bob's just built. Must of cost a
heap."

"They say that Miss Beckey and her mother are going to live in it,"
answered Plug Hat Pete. "I'll raise you ten."