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"That's what I tell her," said Kut-le

"Say," said Billy, scowling, "you've got a nerve, cutting in as if this was a parlor conversation you had cut in on casual Just keep out of this, will you!"

Rhoda flushed

"Well, as long as he can hear everything, it's a good deal of a farce not to let him talk," she said

"Farce!" exclai up for this ornery Piute, are you?"

Rhoda looked at the calence of his face, and she resented Porter's words She answered hiivable thing in stealing me No one knows that better than I do But he has treated iven me back my health I thank him for that and--and I do respect hiht but he said nothing Porter stared at the girl with jaw dropped

"Good Lord!" he cried "Respect hiet you! Do you mean that you want to stay with that Injun?"

A slow flush covered Rhoda's tanned cheeks Her cleft chin lifted a little

"At the very first chance," she replied, "I shall escape"

Porter sighed in great relief

"That's all right, Miss Rhoda," he said leniently "Respect him all you want to I don't see how you can, but wo so I don't bla thankful about your health You've stood this business better than any of us Say, that squaw see up ht now? Tell her not to put pison into it"

Kut-le grinned

"Maybe Miss Tuttle will fix up so"

"Well, she won't, you know!" growled Porter "Her wait on me! She ain't no squaw!"

"Oh, but," cried Rhoda, "you don't kno proud I am of my skill! I can run the camp just as well as the squaws" Then, as Porter scowled at Kut-le, "He didn't make me! I wanted to, so as to be able to take care of et away from him," she looked at the silent Indian with an expression of daring that brought a glint of amusement to his eyes, "I'll be able to live off the trail better than you!"

"Gee!" exclaily

"Of course, in one way it's no credit tothe rabbit stew she ar up "Kut-le--" she paused Of what use was it to try to explain what Kut-le had done for her!