Rhoda looked at him keenly.
"You talk as if in your heart you knew you were going to kill him because he is an Indian and were trying to justify yourself for it!"
He turned on the girl a look so haunted, so miserable, yet so determined, that her heart sank. For a time there was silence, each afraid to speak. At last Rhoda said coolly:
"Will you get fresh water while I bank in the fire?"
DeWitt's face relaxed. He smiled a little grimly.
"I'll do anything for you but that one thing—promise not to kill the Indian."
"The desert has changed us both, John," said Rhoda. "It has taken the veneer off both of us!"
"Maybe so," replied DeWitt. "I only know that that Apache must pay for the hell you and I have lived through."
"Look at me, John!" cried Rhoda. "Can't you realize that the good Kut-le has done me has been far greater than his affront to me? Do you see how well I am, how strong? Oh, if I could only make you see what a different world I live in! You would have been tied to an invalid, John, if Kut-le hadn't stolen me! Think now of all I can do for you! Of the home I can make, of the work I can do!"
DeWitt answered tersely.