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"I make it mine," he declared hotly. "I've heard about this

fellow from your father. You met up with him on the trail. He

says his name is Fraser. You don't even know whether that is

true. He may be a spy. How do you know he ain't?"

"How do I know you aren't?" she countered swiftly.

"You've known me all my life. Did you ever see him before?"

"Never."

"Well, then!"

"He risked his life to save ours."

"Risked nothing! It was a trick, I tell you."

"It makes no difference to me what you tell me. Your opinion

can't affect mine."

"You know the feeling of the valley just now about strangers,"

said Briscoe sullenly.

"It depends on who the stranger is."

"Well, I object to this one."

"So it seems; but I don't know any law that makes me do whatever

you want me to." Her voice, low and clear, cut like a whiplash.