his saddle-horn. Also, he turned his head and
shoulders as if to cry out. But he uttered not a
sound. Evidently the jostling of his sorrel forbade.
He turned his head to the front again, and,
slumping low in his saddle, began frantic use of
spur and quirt. But the sorrel had lost his stride,
and before he could regain it Jim and Johnson had
dashed alongside. Jim swung close and looked
at Glover. Glover returned the gaze, and again
appeared about to speak. But now the sorrel
flung forward into his stride, and the movement
seemed to decide Glover against all utterance.

But Jim understood. He held close to Glover,
but turned his eyes after Johnson. Instantly he
scowled and his mouth drew grimly down. For
Johnson was swinging off at a tangent, riding out
of the set direction, rapidly pulling away from,
them. For one sullen moment Jim regarded him;
then turned his head to the rear. One of the
rangers, a young man mounted on a graceful bay
--?? with the rangers, yet apparently not one of
them -- was riding well forward out of the group.
Understanding Johnson's move now, comprehending
his utter selfishness in thus swinging away
from them, Jim gazed pityingly at Glover. But
Glover did not notice him. He himself was following
the swift-riding Johnson with blazing eyes,
and suddenly he exploded in vindictive anger.

"Put a hole in him!" he cried, hoarsely. "Shoot
him! Shoot him, Jim! I -- I can't!"

But neither could Jim. It was not his nature.
Yet there was one thing he could do. And this he

[[203]]

p202 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p203w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p204

v?