quickly a touch awakened him. He lifted his head.

"Hello! Who's that?" he called out, sharply.

Pearce rose guardedly, startled, but not confused. "It's only me,
boss," he replied. "I was about to turn in, an' I wanted to know how
you are--if I could do anythin'."

"I'm all right, Red," replied Kells, coolly. "Clear out and let me
alone. All of you."

Pearce moved away with an amiable good-night and joined the others
at the camp-fire. Presently they sought their blankets, leaving
Gulden hunching there silent in the gloom.

"Joan, why did you wake me?" whispered Kells.

"Pearce asked me if I shot you," replied Joan. "I woke you instead
of answering him."

"He did!" exclaimed Kells under his breath. Then he laughed. "Can't
fool that gang. I guess it doesn't matter. Maybe it'd be well if
they knew you shot me."

He appeared thoughtful, and lay there with the fading flare of the
fire on his pale face. But he did not speak again. Presently he fell
asleep.

Joan leaned back, within reach of him, with her head in her saddle,
and pulling a blanket up over her, relaxed her limbs to rest. Sleep