‘Oh, I’m glad!’ exclaimed Nan. ‘Anything would be better than this suspense. But will Walter go with you, Dad?’
‘I think so. He is tired of dodging in the hills.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t lose any time,’ declared Hashknife. ‘That bunch will probably get drunk in Mesa City, and yuh never can tell what they will do.’
‘I know,’ nodded Lane. ‘But I don’t know what to do about Nan. She can’t stay here——’
‘I can’t stay anywhere else, Dad. I can’t afford to live at a hotel. Oh, I’ll be all right.’
‘We’ll stay awhile,’ offered Hashknife. ‘I can’t run away now; not after that warnin’. As soon as yuh see the sheriff, send him up here. I want him to understand about that warnin’, ’cause I might need an official reason for throwin’ lead.’
‘All right, Hartley. I’ll leave my rifle and shells here, in case yuh need long range.’
He shook hands with each of them, kissed Nan, and vanished down past the corral in the darkness.
Nan sighed with relief and tried to smile.
‘I guess I better finish washing the dishes,’ said Rex. ‘But I wish some of you would load that shotgun. I might have to shoot next time.’