"Oh, what can I do? I won't give up. I've been robbed. Can't the people help me? Must I meekly sit with my hands crossed while that half-breed thief--Oh, it's unbelievable!"
"I reckon you'll jest hev to be patient fer a few days," said Roy, calmly. "It'll all come right in the end."
"Roy! You've had this deal, as you call it, all worked out in mind for a long time!" exclaimed Helen.
"Shore, an' I 'ain't missed a reckonin' yet."
"Then what will happen--in a few days?"
"Nell Rayner, are you goin' to hev some spunk an' not lose your nerve again or go wild out of your head?"
"I'll try to be brave, but--but I must be prepared," she replied, tremulously.
"Wal, there's Dale an' Las Vegas an' me fer Beasley to reckon with. An', Miss Nell, his chances fer long life are as pore as his chances fer heaven!"
"But, Roy, I don't believe in deliberate taking of life," replied Helen, shuddering. "That's against my religion. I won't allow it.... And--then--think, Dale, all of you--in danger!"
"Girl, how 're you ever goin' to help yourself? Shore you might hold Dale back, if you love him, an' swear you won't give yourself to him.... An' I reckon I'd respect your religion, if you was goin' to suffer through me.... But not Dale nor you--nor Bo--nor love or heaven or hell can ever stop thet cowboy Las Vegas!"
"Oh, if Dale brings Bo back to me--what will I care for my ranch?" murmured Helen.
"Reckon you'll only begin to care when thet happens. Your big hunter has got to be put to work," replied Roy, with his keen smile.
Before noon that day the baggage Helen had packed at home was left on the porch of Widow Cass's cottage, and Helen's anxious need of the hour was satisfied. She was made comfortable in the old woman's one spare room, and she set herself the task of fortitude and endurance.
To her surprise, many of Mrs. Cass's neighbors came unobtrusively to the back door of the little cottage and made sympathetic inquiries. They appeared a subdued and apprehensive group, and whispered to one another as they left. Helen gathered from their visits a conviction that the wives of the men dominated by Beasley believed no good could come of this high-handed taking over of the ranch. Indeed, Helen found at the end of the day that a strength had been borne of her misfortune.