"But, Tom," cried Kate, "don't you understand? They'll—they'll h-hang you."
"They'll have to catch me first. 'Tain't legal otherwise."
"Oh, how can you make fun? I could cry. I could, indeed. I will, too, in a minute—only, you are fooling, aren't you? You don't really intend to go back."
"I never fool. Dunno how. I'm goin' back, an' if Farewell gets gay, why, I'll just naturally rope that village o' tinhorns an' scatter it over a full section o' land. That'll cure 'em o' gettin' out warrants for peaceable folks, won't it now?"
CHAPTER XV
A HIDDEN TRAIL
A pounding at his door woke Loudon in the morning.
"'Lo," he called, sleepily.
"Time for yore dinner!" shouted Mrs. Burr through the panels. "It's noon."