And she looked into his strange, gray glance to see unmasked the
ruthless power, the leaping devil, the ungovernable passion she had
sensed in him.

He grasped her arm and with a single pull swung her to him. "YOU'VE
got to pay that ransom!"

He handled her as if he thought she resisted, but she was
unresisting. She hung her head to hide her eyes. Then he placed an
arm round her shoulders and half led, half dragged her toward the
cabin.



Joan saw with startling distinctness the bits of balsam and pine at
her feet and pale pink daisies in the grass, and then the dry
withered boughs. She was in the cabin.

"Girl! ... I'm hungry--for you!" he breathed, hoarsely. And turning
her toward him, he embraced her, as if his nature was savage and he
had to use a savage force.

If Joan struggled at all, it was only slightly, when she writhed and
slipped, like a snake, to get her arm under his as it clasped her
neck. Then she let herself go. He crushed her to him. He bent her
backward--tilted her face with hard and eager hand. Like a madman,
with hot working lips, he kissed her. She felt blinded--scorched.
But her purpose was as swift and sure and wonderful as his passion
was wild. The first reach of her groping hand found his gun-belt.
Swift as light her hand slipped down. Her fingers touched the cold