"I heerd you comin', daughter, away back thar. I shore thought the devil himself might 've been after you!"
He smiled wanly.
"I seen her again," the girl said as she dragged her saddle off.
The man pulled languidly at his mustache.
"She see you?"
"No. I set under a juniper and watched 'em ... her an' that Beck man."
"Mebby if you was to talk to her an' get friendly—"
"I don't want to be no friends with her! I hate her already!"
She spat out the words and her face was a storm of dislike.
"What I meant ... mebby 't would be easier for us if you played like you was friends. Then she mightn't suspect."