Harley strove to put her aside, but she clung to him with strong, young arms.
The "King's" face, pale before, now became white. It was, perhaps, the first time in his life that all the blood had left it, and it showed the power of this new and sudden emotion. "King" Plummer, in a flash, saw many things. The finger that lay upon the trigger trembled, and then, with a cry of fear, this man who feared no other man threw his pistol to the earth.
"My God, Sylvia!" he exclaimed. "What do you think I am?"
"Not a murderer!"
"No, I am not; but I came very near to being one."'
He looked at the two, in each other's arms as it were, and turned away, leaving the pistol upon the ground. "King" Plummer had seen enough for one day.
They watched him until the broad back passed over a swell and was lost. Then Sylvia, blushing, remembered, and took her arms from Harley's neck.
"You have saved my life," said Harley.
"I do not think that he would have fired."
"You have saved it, anyhow. Now it is yours, and you must take it. He cannot claim you after this."