"You're in the wrong, Lieutenant," he remarked; "but I don't want any trouble. You've got the law with you." Then to Runnion and the others he said, "Well, I'm ready to hit the trail."
When they had shouldered their packs and disappeared down the valley, Gale held out his hand to the soldier. "Young man, I reckon you and I will be friends."
"Thank you," said Burrell, taking the offer of friendship which he knew was genuine at last.
"I'm in on that!" said "No Creek" Lee; "you're all right!"
Poleon had been watching Stark's party disappear, but now he turned and addressed the young soldier.
"You mak' some enemies to-day, M'sieu."
"That's right," agreed Lee. "Ben Stark will never let up on you now."
"Very well, that is his privilege."
"You don't savvy what it means to get him down on you," insisted Lee. "He'll frame things up to suit himself, then pick a row with you. He's the quickest man on a trigger in the West, but he won't never make no open play, only just devil the life out of you with little things till you flare up, then he'll down you. That's how he killed the gold commissioner back in British Columbia."
Necia had said little so far, but the look in her eyes repaid the soldier for his undertaking in her behalf, and for any mischief that might ensue from it. She came forward and laid her hands upon his.