"Dan!" she said. It was only a whisper, a heart-stopping sound. "Dan!" Her
voice rang, then her arms gathered to her, blindly, Joan, who had shrunk
back. "What's happened?"
"Molly died."
"Died."
"They broke her leg."
"The posse!"
"With a long shot."
"What are you going to do!"
"Get Satan. Go for a ride."
"Where?"
He looked about him, troubled, and then frowned. "I dunno. Out yonder."
He waved his arm. Black Bart followed the turn of the master's body, and
switching around in front continued to stare up into Dan's face.
"You're going back after the posse?"
"No, I'm done with them."
"What do you mean?"
"They paid for Grey Molly."
"You shot one of their--horses?"
"A man."
"God help us!" Then life came to her; she sprang up and ran between him and
the door. "You shan't go. If you love me!" She was only inches from Black
Bart, and the big animal showed his teeth in silent hate.
"Kate, I'm goin'. Don't stand in the door."
Joan, slipping around Bart, stood clinging to the skirts of her mother and
watched the face of Dan, fascinated, silent.
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