They turned away and left the man and woman and bewildered children standing silent and motionless.
“I didn’t suspect it was in you to be so sharp with them,” remarked Archie Wallace. “What riled you?”
“Conley tried to slip a knife into me after he’d put up his hands,” replied Young Dan.
“Well, I reckon they’ll be good from now on, so far as you’re concerned,” said Wallace. “You scared ’em. You pretty nigh scared me.”
They were half-way back to Bill Tangler’s camp when the deputy-sheriff halted and lit a cigar.
“You’re a wizard, Dan Evans,” he said. “A trapper needs to be smart, but not as far-sighted an’ clear-thinkin’ as you. The Government will be glad to pay you for anything you do—so will you lend me a hand now an’ then, when I’m up against something too big for me to swing alone?”
“Sure,” said Young Dan.
“That’s a bargain!” exclaimed Mr. Wallace; and they shook hands there in the white trail.