The sneer returned to Sara's voice. "You ask Jim if he ever heard of locking the barn too late? Tell him to bring on his 'armed guards.'"
Pen was startled. "Sara, what have you done?"
Sara laughed. "If you and Jim don't know, I'm not the proper one to tell you! One of your gentleman friends is outside, evidently waiting for you."
Pen looked out. Old Suma-theek was standing on the trail, arms folded, watching the tent patiently. He had had one interview with Sara soon after the crippled man had appeared at the dam. The talk had been desultory and in Pen's presence, but never after could the old Indian be induced to come into the tent.
"He like a broken backed snake, your buck," he had said calmly to Pen, whom he had obviously adored from the first.
Pen came down the trail to see what Suma-theek wanted. She knew there was no hurrying him, so she sat down on a stone and waited. Suma-theek seated himself beside her and rolled a cigarette. After he had smoked half of it, he said:
"Boss Still Jim, he heap sad in his heart."
Pen nodded.
"You love him, Pen Squaw?" asked Suma-theek, earnestly.
"We all do," replied Pen. "He and I have known each other many, many years."