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"Helen, I reckon you said you didn't want this fellow's attention"

"I certainly said that," replied Helen, quickly Just then Bo slipped close to her and gave her arht was like hers--here was a real Westernswiftly upon it was a sensation of eased nerves

Riggs swaggered closer to Dale

"Say, Buckskin, I hail from Texas--"

"You're wastin' our time an' we've need to hurry," interrupted Dale His tone see in Texas you wouldn't pester a lady an' you sure wouldn't talk like you do"

"What!" shouted Riggs, hotly He dropped his right hand significantly to his hip

"Don't throw your gun It s's intention had been--and it was probably just what Dale evidently had read it--he now flushed an angry red and jerked at his gun

Dale's hand flashed too swiftly for Helen's eye to follow it But she heard the thud as it struck The gun went flying to the platforroup of Indians and Mexicans

"You'll hurt yourself some day," said Dale

Helen had never heard a slow, cool voice like this hunter's Without excitenificant of things the words did not s's arm had dropped li expression was surprise As the shuffling crowd began to snicker and whisper, Riggs gave Dale a lance, shifted it to Helen, and then lurched away in the direction of his gun

Dale did not pay any e, he said, "Coirls followed close at his heels

"Nell! what 'd I tell you?" whispered Bo "Oh, you're all atreer and fear and relief in quick succession had left her rather weak Once through the e-coach and four lean horses A grizzled, sunburned man sat on the driver's seat, whip and reins in hand Beside hier , tall, lean, dark, stood holding the coach door open He touched his soirls His eyes were sharp as he addressed Dale

"Milt, wasn't you held up?"