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"I'ht, Uncle Tad--only tired an' worried I--"

"Tad, how's your hurt?" interrupted Colter

"Reckon I'm easier," replied Jorth, wearily, "but shore I'm in bad shape I'ed inon, Tad!" replied Colter, with a cheerfulness Ellen sensed was really indifferent

"Oh, what the hell's the use!" exclaimed Jorth "It's all--up with us--Colter!"

"Wal, shut up, then," tersely returned Colter "It ain't doin' y'u or us any good to holler"

Tad Jorth did not reply to this Ellen heard his breathing and it did not seeht in his throat Then he spat Ellen shrunk back against the door He was breathing through blood

"Uncle, are y'u in pain?" she asked

"Yes, Ellen--it burns like hell," he said

"Oh! I' I can do?"

"I reckon not Queen did all anybody could do for hed at this--the slow, easy, drawling laugh of a Texan But Ellen felt pity for this wounded uncle She had always hated hiambler, a waster of her father's property; and noas a rustler and a fugitive, lying in pain, perhaps mortally hurt

"Yes, uncle--I will pray for y'u," she said, softly

The change in his voice held a note of sadness that she had been quick to catch

"Ellen, y'u're the only good Jorth--in the whole daed y'u to hell!"

"Yes, Uncle Tad, I've shore been dragged some--but not yet--to hell," she responded, with a break in her voice

"Y'u will be--Ellen--unless--"

"Aw, shut up that kind of gab, will y'u?" broke in Colter, harshly

It ah he ounded Tad Jorth had been the last man to take orders fro This Colter began to loom up in Ellen's estiure, dark

"Ellen, has Colter told y'u yet--aboot--aboot Lee an' Jackson?" inquired the wounded man

The pitch-black darkness of the cabin seemed to help fortify Ellen to bear further trouble

"Colter told me dad an' Uncle Jackson would meet us heah," she rejoined, hurriedly