she would rather not be alone with Kells. She remarked then that
there was no extra horse in the bunch. It seemed strange, her
thinking that, and she imagined she was not clear-headed.

"Throw the packs, Bill," said Kells.

Another fire was kindled and preparations made toward a noonday
meal. Bill and Halloway appeared loquacious, and inclined to steal
glances at Joan when Kells could not notice. Halloway whistled a
Dixie tune. Then Bill took advantage of the absence of Kells, who
went down to the brook, and he began to leer at Joan and make bold
eyes at her. Joan appeared not to notice him, and thereafter
averted; her gaze. The men chuckled.

"She's the proud hussy! But she ain't foolin' me. I've knowed a heap
of wimmen." Whereupon Halloway guffawed, and between them, in lower
tones, they exchanged mysterious remarks. Kells returned with a
bucket of water.

"What's got into you men?" he queried.

Both of them looked around, blusteringily innocent.

"Reckon it's the same that's ailin' you," replied Bill. He showed
that among wild, unhampered men how little could inflame and change.

"Boss, it's the onaccustomed company," added Halloway, with a
conciliatory smile. "Bill sort of warms up. He jest can't help it.
An' seein' what a thunderin' crab he always is, why I'm glad an'
welcome."