She came and stood watching, asking no questions, while the woman on the sofa gulped down the raw whiskey and gave back the glass.Not far from where those flames were licking up into the heavens, Cairness thought as he watched them, had[Pg 162] been the Circle K Ranch. In among the herd, even now, were Circle K cattle that had not yet been cut out. Those six people of his own race had been all that was left to him of his youth. To be sure, he had seen little of them, but he had known that they were there, ready to receive him in the name of the home they had all left behind.We drink to our comrades' eyes
ONE:"I represent, sir, the citizens of San Tomaso."
He hesitated. "I have done some shooting. I am always shooting more or less, for that matter.""And how, may I ask, would you suggest cutting off their retreat?" the major inquired a little sharply. His temper was not improved by the heat and by twelve hours in the saddle.Landor went. Felipa waited for him, already mounted. He mounted his own horse and rode beside her back to the post. They did not speak, and he was conscious above his anger that his fondness for her had been gradually turning to dislike, and was now loathing. He had seen her dragging in the dust before him, pleading abjectly. She had humiliated him and herself in the presence of Cairness, of all men, and he would never forget it. A woman who once grovels at a man's feet has lost thenceforth her power over him."You must get Mrs. Landor into the post to-morrow," Cairness said abruptly; "Victorio's band is about."It did not seem to strike the representative of the citizens of San Tomaso that that was much of an argument. He continued to urge."Her father was dead. He left her to him."