Then, without a
farewell, she turned the brown horse around and struck across the meadow at
a swift gallop. Buck turned to meet the sick face of Haines.
"Well?" he said.
"Let me have that flask."
Buck produced a metal "life-saver," and Haines with nervous hands unscrewed
the top and lifted it to his lips. He lowered it after a long moment and
stood bracing himself against the wall.
"It was hell, Buck. God help me if I ever have to go through a thing like
that again."
"I see what you done," said Buck angrily. "You walked right in and took
your story in both hands and knocked her down with it. Haines, of all the
ornery, thick-headed cayuses I ever see, you're the most out-beatin'est!"
"I couldn't help it."
"Why not?"
"When I went in she took one look at me and then jumped up and stood as
straight as a pine tree.
"'Lee,' she said, 'what have you heard?'"
"'About what?' I asked her, and I looked sort of indifferent."
"Dan!" snorted Buck. "She could see death an' hell written all over your
face, most like."
"I suppose," muttered Haines, "I--I was sick!
"'Tell me!' she said, coming close up.
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