"But—" Jeb began.
"There's no room for buts," Royce declared. "You don't suppose I'd be enough of a skunk to allow your daughter to suffer after what you've done for me. Thank God I've got some manhood left."
Jeb could say nothing more but dropped his head into his hand as Royce turned back into the house to come out again almost immediately hatted and booted.
"I reckon I'll have to take one of the horses," he said as he paused a moment beside the two. Then, as Jeb nodded his head, he went on: "I want to thank you both for what you did for me and if I never see you again, I'll never forget you, never."
He was gone, running toward the corral, before either Jeb or Bob could find words to answer him and, a moment later, they saw him ride out mounted on a roan, the poorest horse on the ranch.
"There goes a brave man to his death," Jeb groaned.
"While there's life there's hope," Bob quoted.
Just outside the gate Royce met Jack.
"Where you goin?" Jack shouted.
"Just for a ride," the other called back. "Goodbye if I don't see you again," and with a wave of his hand he was gone.