"Got a rifle, too, haven't you?" he asked.
"No. Dad took it."
"Good Heavens! I'm glad I didn't know that coming down!"
"How'd you happen to come?"
"I saw the sleigh go by, and was sure something had scared your father about the claim. So I didn't wait to black my boots."
"Oh, it was a comfort to hear you," she said.
"Was it?" eagerly. He stepped toward her; then drew back. "Well,"—with a feeble attempt at humour—"I'd rather be a comfort than a wet blanket." He had remembered that evil eyes were watching; that his least move might subject Lancaster's daughters to the coarse comment of Shanty Town. He dared not even remain out of his saddle. He mounted.
"Oh, you're going to leave us!" exclaimed Marylyn. She began to cry helplessly.
"But I'll be on the lookout every second," he declared. "Miss Dallas,"—he urged his horse up to the window—"don't think I'm idiot enough to try to do up that saloon gang down there single-handed. If I go to Shanty Town, it'll be because I have to. I won't go alone if I can help it. First of all, I intend to see the Colonel over there, and lay this matter before him."
"But dad——" she began.