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〃Look at herso youngso unsuspecting you can't have the heart to
murder a child like that in cold blood。〃
〃Right you are！〃 exclaimed the man with the ferocious whiskershe
who had been spoken of as Brick Willock。 〃You'll have to go； pard； but I'm
against killing infants。〃
The leader darted an angry glance at the man who； but for the
untoward arrival of Gledware； would have won from him his share of the
booty。 But his voice was smooth and pleasant as he resumed： 〃Yes； pard；
the kid must die。 We couldn't do nothing with her； and if we left her on
some door…step； she's sure old enough； and she looks full sharp enough； to
tell sufficient to trammel us good and plenty。 If we sets her loose in the
prairie； she'd starve to death if not foundand if found； it would settle our
case。 And as Kansas says； this debate must close； or daylight will catch
us。〃
Brick Willock； with terrible oaths； again expressed himself as strongly
opposed to this decision。
〃Well； Brick；〃 said Red； with a sneer； 〃do YOU want to take the kid
and raise her； yourself？ We've either got to do away with her； or keep her
hid。 Do YOU want to be her nurse； and keep with her in some cave or
other while we go foraging？〃
Willock muttered deep in his throat； while his companions laughed
disdainfully。
〃We've had enough of this！〃 Red declared； his voice suddenly grown
hard and cold。 〃Kansas； take the prisoner； Brick Willock； as you're so fond
of the kid； you can carry HER。〃 He opened the door and a rush of wind
extinguished the candle。 There was silence while it was being relighted。
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The flickering light； reddening to a steady glow； revealed no mercy on the
scowling countenances about the table； and no shadow of presentiment on
that of the still unconscious child。
Red went outside and waited till his brother had drawn forth the
quivering man； and Brick Willock had carried out the girl。 Then he looked
back into the room。 〃You fellows can stay in here；〃 he said authoritatively。
〃What we've got to do ain't any easier with a lot of men standing about；
looking on。〃
The man who had relighted the candle； and who crouched to shield it
with a hairy hand from the gust； nodded approval。 His friends were
already gathering together the cards to lose in the excitement of gambling
consciousness of what was about to be done。 Red closed the door on the
scene； and turned to face the light。
The wind came in furious gusts； with brief intervals of calm。 There
were no clouds； however； and the moon； which had risen not long before；
made the prairie almost as light as if morning had dawned。 As far as the
eye could reach in any direction； nothing was to be seen but the level
ground； the unflecked sky； the cabin and the little group near the tethered
ponies。
Gledware had already been stationed with his face toward the moon；
and Kansas Kimball was calmly examining his pistol。 Between them and
the horses； Brick Willock had come to a halt； the little girl still sleeping in
his powerful arms。 Red's eagle eye noted that she had unconsciously
slipped an arm about the highwayman's neck； as if by some instinct she
would cling the closer to the only one in the band of ten who had spoken
for her life。
Red scowled heavily。 He had not forgiven Willock for beating him at
cards； still less for his persistent opposition to his wishes； and he now
resolved that it should be Willock's hand to deal the fatal blow。 He had
been troubled before tonight by insubordination on the part of this man of
bristling whiskers； this knave whose voice was ever for mercy； if mercy
were possible。 Why should Willock have joined men who were without
scruple and without shame？ As the leader stared at him sullenly； he
reflected that it was just such natures that fail at the last extremity of
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hardihood； that desert comrades in crime； that turn state's evidence。 Yes
Willock would deal the blow； even if Red found it necessary to call all his
men from the cabin to enforce the order。
The captain's fears were not groundless。 He would have been much
more alarmed； could he have known the wonderful thoughts that surged
through Willock's brain； and the wonderful emotions that thrilled his heart；
at the warm confiding pressure of the arm about his neck。
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CHAPTER II
BRICK MAKES A MOVE
As Kansas Kimball raised his weapon to fire； the man before him
uttered a cry of terror and began to entreat for his life。 In the full light of
the dazzling moon； his face showed all the pallor； all the contortions of a
coward who； though believing himself lost； has not the resolution to mask
his fear。 He poured forth incoherent promises of secrecy； ejaculations of
despair and frenzied assurances of innocence。
〃Hold on； Kansas！〃 interposed Red。 〃There's not a one of the bunch
believes that story about the last wagon getting away； and the dying wife。
We know this Gledware is a spy； whatever he says； and that he brought the
kid along for protection。 He knew if we got back to No…Man's Land we
couldn't be touched； not being under no jurisdiction； and he wanted to find
us with our paint and feathers off。 He's a sneaking dog； and a bullet's too
good for him。 But 〃with an oath〃blessed if he don't hate to die worse
than any man ever I saw！ I don't mind to spare him a few minutes if he's
agreeable。 I put it to himwould he rather the kid be put out of the way
first； and him afterwards； or does he want the first call？〃
〃For God's sake； put it off as long as you will！〃 quavered the prisoner。
〃I swear I'm no spy。 I swear〃
〃This is unpleasant；〃 the captain of the highwaymen interposed。 〃Just
you say another word； and I'll put daylight into you with my own hand。
Stand there and keep mum； and I'll give you a little breathing space。〃
Kansas； not without a sigh of relief； lowered his weapon and looked
questioningly at his brother。 The shadow of the log cabin was upon him；
making more sinister his uncouth attire； and his lean vindictive face under
the huge Mexican hat。 Gledware； not daring to move； kept his eyes fixed
on that deep gloom out of which at any moment might spurt forth the red
flash of death。 From within the cabin came loud oaths inspired by cards or
drink； as if the inmates would drown any calls for mercy or sounds of
execution that might be abroad in the night。
〃Now； Brick Willock；〃 the leader spoke grimly； 〃take your turn first。
That kid's got to die； and you are to do the trick； and do it without any
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foolishness。〃
〃I can't；〃 Willock declared doggedly。
〃Oh； yes； yes； you can； Brick。 You see； we can't 'tend to no infant class；
and I ain't hard…hearted enough to leave a five…year…old girl to die of
hunger on the prairie； nor do I mean to take her to no town or stage…station
as a card for to be tracked by。 Oh； yes； you can； Brick； and now's the
time。〃
〃Red；〃 exclaimed Willock desperately； 〃I tell you fair； and I tell you
foul； that this little one lives as long as I do。〃
〃And what do you aim to do with her； eh； Brick？〃
Willock made no reply。 He had formed no plans for his future； or for
that of the child； but his left arm closed more tightly about her。
〃Now； Brick；〃 said Red slowly； 〃this ain't the first time you have
proved yourself no man for our business； and I call Kansas to witness
you've brought this on yourself〃
Without finishing his sentence； Red swiftly raised his arm and fired
pointblank at Willock's head as it was defined above the sleeping form。
Though famed as an orator； Red understood very well that； at times； action
is everything； and there is death in long speaking。 He was noted as a man
who ne