broken. I'll get well. Now you bring water and food in here--then
go."

"Go?" she echoed.

"Yes. Don't go down the canon. You'd be worse off. ... Take the back
trail. You've got a chance to get out. ... Go!"

"Leave you here? So weak you can't lift a cup! I won't."

"I'd rather you did."

"Why?"

"Because in a few days I'll begin to mend. Then I'll grow like--
myself. ... I think--I'm afraid I loved you. ... It could only be
hell for you. Go now, before it's too late! ... If you stay--till I'm
well--I'll never let you go!"

"Kells, I believe it would be cowardly for me to leave you here
alone," she replied, earnestly. "You can't help yourself. You'd
die."

"All the better. But I won't die. I'm hard to kill. Go, I tell you."

She shook her head. "This is bad for you--arguing. You're excited.
Please be quiet."

"Joan Randle, if you stay--I'll halter you--keep you naked in a
cave--curse you--beat you--murder you! Oh, it's in me! ... Go, I tell