What about the law?demanded Bill.Do you think IT'S going to let you walk about free and disposed,after you've removed Red Kimball?
I hopes the law and me can get on peaceable together,returned the other grimly.I've never had nothing to do with it,and I hopes to be let alone.
Wilfred spoke with sudden decision:Brick,I'm with you to the end,and so is Bill.I have nothing to do with your purposes or plans except to offer the best advice I know--you've rejected it,but I'm with you just the same.It strikes me I can help you by going to Kansas City--for you need only Bill in the cove,--he can bring you Lahoma's letters.I'll hurry to Lahoma;and if she decides to come back,as I'm sure she will very soon--well,she'll need a protector.I'll bring her home.She asks in her letter what I'm here for.Wouldn't that be a good answer?
Brick Willock laid his hand on the other's shoulder and stared into his face with troubled eyes.Gradually his countenance cleared and something of his old geniality returned.A first-class answer,son!I believe you'll do it.He grasped Wilfred's hand.These are troublous times,and it's good to feel a hand like this that's steady and true.Now I ain't going to drag you into nothing that could hurt you nor Bill,or make you feel sore over past days.I don't need nobody to lean on--but Lahoma does;and if Red Kimball pops it to me before I get a chance to keel him over,you two must look out for her.
I'll look out for her myself,single-handed,said Bill gruffly.
I know you would,old tap,as long as you lasts,said Willock with an unwonted note of gentleness.Bill was so embarrassed by the tone that he cringed awkwardly.After a pause,Willock suggested that Wilfred wait for one more letter from Lahoma,provided it come within the next twenty-four hours,then start up the trail for Chickasha and board the train for
Kansas.She might write something that needed instant work,he explained.If so,I'd like to have you here.I'm looking for developments in her next letter.
Strange to me,muttered Bill,about Red Feather and that sneaking Gledware.Wonder how came the Indian with a pin on him that Gledware knew of?
Willock's face was twisted into a sardonic grin.Guess I could explain that,all right--but I says nothing beyond Lahoma's word.I banks on document'ry proofs,and otherwise stands technical and arbitrary.
Hitherto Wilfred,as guest of honor,had been offered the cabin as his sleeping-quarters,and he had accepted it because of the countless reminders of Lahoma's fresh and innocent life;but this night,he shared the dugout with Bill,from a sense of impending danger.Until a late hour they sat over the glowing coals,discussing their present situation and offering conjectures about Willock's younger days.There could hardly have been a stronger contrast between the emaciated old man of the huge white mustache,thin reddish cheeks and shock of white hair,and the broad-shouldered,handsome and erect young man--or the stern and gloomy countenance of the former,and the expressive eyes and flexible lips of Wilfred.Yet they seemed unconscious of any chasm of age or disposition as they spoke in low tones,not without frequent glances toward the barricaded door and the heavily curtained window.
The wind made strange noises overhead and at times one could be almost certain there was the stamping of a man's foot upon the earthen roof.The distant cry of a wild beast,and the nearer yelping of hungry wolves mingled with the whistling of the wind.Sometimes Wilfred rose and,passing noiselessly to the window,raised the curtain with a quick gesture to stare out on a dark and stormy night;and once,in doing so,he surprised a pair of red eyes under bristling gray hair which seemed to glow hot as molten lead,as the fire from the open stove caught them unaware.
If my arms were tied,remarked Bill,I'd rather trust myself to that coyote than to Red Kimball.I hate to think of Brick out yonder on the mountain,all alone,and no fire to warm him,afraid to smoke his pipe,I reckon.Well,this kind of thing can't last long,that's plain.
It was Wilfred's conviction that this kind of thingcould not,indeed,last long,which kept him awake half through the night;and yet,when the morning sunlight flooded the cove,it seemed impossible that deeds of violence could be committed in so peaceful a world.In that delusion,however,he could not long remain;Lahoma's next letter came confirmatory of his worst fears.
Just read it aloud,Wilfred,said Brick,as all gathered about the lantern in the retreat at the mountain-top.We're all one,now,and I've got no secrets from you--at least none that's knowed to Lahoma.And if the case seems immediate,I reckon you'll prove game,son.
Wilfred nodded briefly.My horse is ready saddled,he said,as he opened the letter addressed to Willock.As soon as I've read 'Yours truly,'I'll be ready to jump into the saddle,so I say 'good-by'now!
