“When you like!” retorted Kells, and added a curse. Then as if by magic his dark face cleared and there was infinite depth and craftiness in him. His opposition, and that hint of hate and loathing which detached him from Gulden, faded from his bearing. “Gulden, I'll split the difference between us. I'll leave you free to do as you like. But all the others—every man—must take orders from me.”
Gulden reached out a huge hand. His instant acceptance evidently amazed Kells and the others.
“LET HER RIP!” Gulden exclaimed. He shook Kells's hand and then laboriously wrote his name in the little book.
In that moment Gulden stood out alone in the midst of wild abandoned men. What were Kells and this Legion to him? What was the stealing of more or less gold?
“Free to do as you like except fight my men,” said Kells. “That's understood.”
“If they don't pick a fight with me,” added the giant, and he grinned.
One by one his followers went through with the simple observances that Kells's personality made a serious and binding compact.
“Anybody else?” called Kells, glancing round. The somberness was leaving his face.
“Here's Jim Cleve,” said Pearce, pointing toward the wall.
“Hello, youngster! Come here. I'm wanting you bad,” said Kells.