صفحة 77 من 439

"Yes, ma'am. I lost him in some of these hollows, or rather I

never found him. I'm going to take my hawss and swing round in a

circle."

"What are you going to do with me?" she smiled.

"I been thinking that the best thing would be for you to go to

the Mal Pais mines with Mr. Neill."

"Who is Mr. Neill?"

"The gentleman over there by the fire."

"Must I go with him? I should feel safer in your company,

lieutenant."

"You'll be safe enough in his, Miss Kinney."

"You know me then?" she asked.

"I've seen you at Fort Lincoln. You were pointed out to me once

as a new teacher."

"But I don't want to go to the Mal Pais mines. I want to go to

Fort Lincoln. As to this gentleman, I have no claims on him and

shall not trouble him to burden himself with me."