Page 369 of 439

Always a creature of impulse, Arlie had repented her repentance

when too late. Now she would have fought to save the Texan, but

the horror of it was that she could not guess how the blow would

fall. She tried to believe he was safe, at least until the week

was up.

When Dick strolled across the floor, sat down beside Steve, and

began casually to chat with him, she could have thanked the boy

with tears. It was equivalent to a public declaration of his

intentions. At least, the ranger was not friendless. One of the

raiders was going to stand by him. Besides Dick, he might count

on Howard; perhaps on others.