"I had no right to say what I did. 'Course, you've had no chance to keep your pledge. I know that. I didn't mean it the way you took it. Why, you're the only friend I've got left in the world. How do you suppose I'd lived if you hadn't sent Pedro with that bag of gold to me the night they—the night daddy was killed?
"Please don't be angry with me, Red."
The pleading tone and soulful eyes with which the girl sought forgiveness appeased the huge desperado's wrath.
"Guess I couldn't if I wanted to," he returned, the tone in which he uttered the words sounding silly from such a man.
But, as he spoke, he reached out an arm, and lowered his bearded face, with the evident intention of drawing Rose to him and kissing her.
With a movement of well-feigned embarrassment, the girl avoided him, and so grotesque was the expression that spread over Red's face at the failure of his uncouth attempt at love-making that the scouts grinned.
Unluckily for them, the outlaw saw their mirth.
"You would mock me, would you?" he thundered. "I'll teach you to laugh at Red Rogers!"
And drawing back his fist, he drove it full into the helpless Jennings' face, causing the blood to spurt from his nose.
Abashed by this act of wanton cruelty in striking a man bound hand and foot, the others cowered.