"I wish you'd go. There's still time."
The girl turned on him angrily with swift, animal grace. "I tell you it's none of your business whether I go or stay. I'll do just as I please."
Prince gave up his attempt to change her mind. If she would stay, she would. He set about arranging the defense.
Young Clanton crept out to the mouth of the cave and lay down with his rifle beside him. His friend piled up the tumble weeds in front of him.
"We're right enough in front—easy enough to stand 'em off there," reflected Billie, aloud. "But I'd like to know what's to prevent us from being attacked in the rear. They can crawl up through the brush till they're right on top of the bank. They can post sharpshooters in the mesquite across the river so that if we come out to check those snakin' forward, the snipers can get us."
"I'll sit on the bank above the cave and watch 'em," announced Lee.
"An' what if they mistook you for one of us?" asked Prince dryly.
"They can't, with me wearing a red coat."
"You're bound to be in this, aren't you?" His smile was more friendly than the words. It admitted reluctant admiration of her.
The party on the other side of the river was in plain sight now. Jim counted four—five—six of them as they deployed. Presently Prince threw a bullet into the dust at the feet of one of the horses as they moved forward. It was meant as a warning not to come closer and accepted as one.