Part 46 (2/2)

Well indeed Joan remembered the trail she had ridden so often. How that clump of willow where first she had confronted Jim thrilled her now! The pines seemed welcoming her. The gulch had a sense of home in it for her, yet it was fearful. How much had happened there! What might yet happen!

Then a clear, ringing call stirred her pulse. She glanced up the slope.

Tall and straight and dark, there on the bench, with hand aloft, stood the bandit Kells.

19

The weary, dusty cavalcade halted on the level bench before the bandit's cabin. Gulden boomed a salute to Kells. The other men shouted greeting.

In the wild exultation of triumph they still held him as chief.

But Kells was not deceived. He even pa.s.sed by that heavily laden, gold-weighted saddle. He had eyes only for Joan.

”Girl, I never was so glad to see any one!” he exclaimed in husky amaze.

”How did it happen? I never--”

Jim Cleve leaned over to interrupt Kells. ”It was great, Kells--that idea of yours putting us in the stagecoach you meant to hold up,” said Cleve, with a swift, meaning glance. ”But it nearly was the end of us.

You didn't catch up. The gang didn't know we were inside, and they shot the old stage full of holes.”

”Aha! So that's it,” replied Kells, slowly. ”But the main point is--you brought her through. Jim, I can't ever square that.”

”Oh, maybe you can,” laughed Cleve, as he dismounted.

Suddenly Kells became aware of Joan's exhaustion and distress. ”Joan, you're not hurt?” he asked in swift anxiety.

”No, only played out.”

”You look it. Come.” He lifted her out of the saddle and, half carrying, half leading her, took her into the cabin, and through the big room to her old apartment. How familiar it seemed to Joan! A ground-squirrel frisked along a c.h.i.n.k between the logs, chattering welcome. The place was exactly as Joan had left it.

Kells held Joan a second, as if he meant to embrace her, but he did not.

”Lord, it's good to see you! I never expected to again.... But you can tell me all about yourself after you rest.... I was just having breakfast. I'll fetch you some.”

”Were you alone here?” asked Joan.

”Yes. I was with Bate and Handy--”

”Hey, Kells!” roared the gang, from the outer room.

Kells held aside the blanket curtain so that Joan was able to see through the door. The men were drawn up in a half-circle round the table, upon which were the bags of gold.

Kells whistled low. ”Joan, there'll be trouble now,” he said, ”but don't you fear. I'll not forget you.”

Despite his undoubted sincerity Joan felt a subtle change in him, and that, coupled with the significance of his words, brought a return of the strange dread. Kells went out and dropped the curtain behind him.

Joan listened.

”Share and share alike!” boomed the giant Gulden.

<script>