They were married a few moments later, standing before the window, with Douglas' hair a halo of gold above his steady eyes and Judith's fine head held high. The Reverend Mr. Fowler performed the rites with a trembling voice. When he had finished he said to Elijah and his wife:
"In all my long experience I have never joined together a couple with such infinite satisfaction as this."
"That's good," said Mrs. Nelson, wiping her eyes, "seeing that you're going on the wedding-journey with them!"
That afternoon, as the shadows on the plains east of the post-office grew long and blue-black, Judith, Douglas and Mr. Fowler jingled up to Peter's door. They slung their saddles on the buck fence, turned their horses into his corral, and went in. Peter was standing by the stove, dressed for a cold ride.
"Judith! You are safe!" he gasped, taking both her hands in his, his sallow face suddenly glowing. "Where did you find her, Doug?"
"Just the other side of Black Devil Pass!"
Peter whistled, stared, then turned to the preacher. "And where did you come from, Fowler?"
"Elijah Nelson rescued me from the west side of Lost Chief Peak."
Judith was pulling off her mackinaw and her beaver cap. "We'll tell you a wonderful story if you'll feed us, Peter."
Peter undid the silk handkerchief from his ears. "I was outfitting to follow Doug's trail. We buried poor little old Johnny this morning."