Elsie seized Curtis by the arm and whispered: "Introduce me to him—quick! Tell him who I am."
Curtis instantly apprehended her plan. "Sheriff Winters, this is Miss Brisbane, daughter of ex-Senator Brisbane, of Washington."
The sheriff awkwardly seized her small hand, "Pleased to make your acquaintance, miss," he said. "I know the Senator well."
Curtis turned to Jennie, who came forward—"And this is my sister."
"I've heard of you," the sheriff said, regaining his self-possession. "I'm sorry to disturb you, ladies—"
Elsie looked at him and quietly said: "I hope you will not be hasty, sheriff; my father will not sanction violence."
"You're being here makes a difference, miss—of course—I—"
Jennie spoke up: "You must be hungry, Mr. Sheriff," she said, and smiling up at Calvin, added, "and so are your men. Why not picket your horses and have some lunch with us?"
Curtis took advantage of the hesitation. "That's the reasonable thing, men. We can discuss measures at our ease."
The cowboys looked at each other with significant glances. Several began to dust themselves and to slyly swab their faces with their gay kerchiefs, and one or two became noticeably redder about the ears as they looked down at their horses' bridles.