"There ain't no use askin' questions how an' why she's here," said
Silent. "This is the pint. Lee Haines is behind the bars in Elkhead.
Whistlin' Dan put him there an' maybe the girl c'n persuade Dan to
bring him out again. If she don't--then everything the lynchin' gang
does to Haines we're goin' to do to you. Git down on your ol' knees,
Cumberland, an' beg your daughter to save your hide!"
The head of Kate dropped down.
"Untie his hands," she said. "I'll talk with Dan."
"I knew you'd see reason," grinned Silent.
"Jest one minute," said Cumberland. "Kate, is Lee Haines one of
Silent's gang?"
"He is."
"An' Dan put him behind the bars?"
"Yes."
"If Dan takes him out again the boy'll be outlawed, Kate."
"Cumberland," broke in Kilduff savagely, "here's your call to stop
thinkin' about Whistlin' Dan an' begin figgerin' for yourself."
"Don't you see?" said Kate, "it's your death these cowards mean."
Cumberland seemed to grow taller, he stood so stiffly erect with his
chin high like a soldier.
"You shan't make no single step to talk with Dan!"
"Can't you understand that it's _you_ they threaten?" she cried.
"I understan' it all," he said evenly.
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