Keith sat quite still for a moment, as it all came over him. It was, then, him that the man was after, not robbery, and this girl, unable to restrain her discarded suitor without pointing suspicion to him, had imperilled her life for Keith, when he was conceited enough to more than half accept the hints of strangers that she cared for him.
"We must get him away," he said, rising painfully. "Where is he?"
"He's hid in a house down the road. I have flung 'em off the track by abusin' of him. They know I am against him, and they think I am after you," she said, looking at him with frank eyes; "and I have been lettin' 'em think it," she added quietly.
Keith almost gasped. Truly this girl was past his comprehension.
"We must get him away," he said.
"How can we do it?" she asked. "They suspicion he's here, and the pickets are out. If he warn't hit in the shoulder so bad, he could fight his way out. He ain't afraid of none of 'em," she added, with a flash of the old pride. "I could go with him and help him; I have done it before; but I would have to break up here. He's got to see a doctor."
Keith sat in reflection for a moment.
"Tim Gilsey is going to drive the stage over to Eden to-night. Go down and see if the places are all taken."
"I have got a place on it," she said, "on the boot."
As Keith looked at her, she added in explanation: