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"But they might get you before they understood," Arlie urged.

"Oh, I'll keep under cover, and when it's time, I'll sing out and

let them know. Better leave me that rifle, though." He went right

on, taking it for granted that she had consented to go: "Slip

through those shadows up that draw. You'll have no trouble with

Teddy. Whistle when you're ready, and your father will make a

break up the hill on his hawss. So-long. See you later some time,

mebbe."

She went reluctantly, not convinced, but overborne by the quality

of cheerful compulsion that lay in him. He was not a large man,

though the pack and symmetry of his muscles promised unusual

strength. But the close-gripped jaw, the cool serenity of the

gray eyes that looked without excitement upon whatever they saw,

the perfect poise of his carriage--all contributed to a

personality plainly that of a leader of men.