heard no more. If any one of them had started her way now she would
have plunged into the thickets like a frightened deer. Evidently,
however, they meant to let her alone. Joan found her horse, and
before hobbling him she was assailed by a temptation to mount him
and ride away. This she did not want to do and would not do under
any circumstances; still, she could not prevent the natural
instinctive impulse of a woman.

She crossed to the other side of the brook and returned toward camp
under the spruce and balsam trees, She did not hurry. It was good to
be alone, out of sight of those violent men, away from that constant
wearing physical proof of catastrophe. Nevertheless, she did not
feel free or safe for a moment; she peered fearfully into the
shadows of the rocks and trees; and presently it was a relief to get
back to the side of the sleeping Kells. He lay in a deep slumber of
exhaustion. She arranged her own saddle and blankets near him, and
prepared to meet the night as best she could. Instinctively she took
a position where in one swift snatch she could get possession of
Kells's gun.

It was about time of sunset, warm and still in the canon, with rosy
lights fading upon the peaks. The men were all busy with one thing
and another. Strange it was to see that Gulden, who Joan thought
might be a shirker, did twice the work of any man, especially the
heavy work. He seemed to enjoy carrying a log that would have
overweighted two ordinary men. He was so huge, so active, so
powerful that it was fascinating to watch him. They built the camp-
fire for the night uncomfortably near Joan's position; however,
remembering how cold the air would become later, she made no
objection. Twilight set in and the men, through for the day,