"No—that's what I'm telling you. Mr. Smith came and took care of us. He brought our wood, he cooked for us, he kept our fire going. He gave up his bed, even his blankets, for us. You should be very generous to him."
Ward again reached a hearty hand. "I'm tremendously obliged to you."
The outlaw quailed under all this praise. "There was mighty little to do," he answered. "I only shared my fire with them."
Ward studied him closer. "Haven't we met before?"
"No, I reckon not."
"I'm quite sure I've seen you somewhere. What are you doing up in here?"
Alice interposed. "What are we going to do?"
Ward turned to the outlaw. "What would you advise? I've only had one idea, and that was to reach this cabin. Now what would you do?"
The outlaw was ready. "I would send a part of the men with the horses down the valley to grass and I'd wait here till Miss Mansfield is able to ride."
"Will this snow go off?"