"Daddy Dan," she said softly. "Joan wants to go to Daddy Dan."
"Daddy Dan--Dan Barry," translated Ben Swann, and he drew a bit away from
her. "Boys, that mankillin' devil must be around here; and that's what them
up to the house was runnin' from--Barry!"
It scattered the others to the windows, to the door.
"What d'you see?"
"Nothin'."
"Swann, if Barry is comin' to these parts, I'm goin' to pack my war-bag."
"Me too, Ben. Them that get ten thousand'll earn it. I heard about the
Killin' at Alder."
"Listen to me, gents," observed Ben Swann. "If Barry is comin' here we ain't
none of us goin' to stay; but don't start jumpin' out from under till I get
the straight of it. I'm goin' to take the kid up to the house right now and
find out."
So he wrapped up Joan in an old blanket, for she was shivering in the cold
of the early morning, and carried her up to the ranchhouse. The alarm had
already been given. He saw Buck Daniels gallop toward the front of the
place leading two saddled horses; he saw Haines and Kate run down the steps
to meet them, and then they caught sight of the foreman coming with Joan on
his shoulder.
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