“No! No! It is all right. If you had not come they would have ridden after you. I can best take care of you here.”
Conacher laughed half in delight, half sorely. “You take care of me! I like that! . . . How did you know they had sent me a letter?”
“I crept up to them in the woods. I listened.” She gave him the gist of what she had overheard.
“Good God!” cried Conacher in his simplicity. “Think of anybody wanting to kill me!” Catching hold of the leading line, he jerked the Indian into the full moonlight. “Who is this man?” he said.
“Etzooah,” said Loseis with half a glance.
“I thought so,” said Conacher grimly. “According to the letter he was to have gone with the outfit; but I thought I had better bring him with me.”
“You did well,” said Loseis.
Tying the horses to trees, they walked away a little in the trail. For awhile they were completely filled with the joy of being together again. The difficulties ahead had to wait.
“Oh, my darling, when I realized that it was you, my heart nearly burst with joy. It was so unexpected, so lovely to find you waiting quietly in the moonlight!”
“Oh, Paul, it makes up for everything to have known you! I don’t care what happens now.”