breaking up Frale’s ‘still’ now.”

“Well, that will be a good deed, won’t it?”

The huge bonnet had hid her face from him, but now she lifted her eyes frankly to his, with a flash of radiance through her tears. “I reckon,” was all she said.

“Are they likely to come up here, do you think, those men?”

“Not hardly. They would have to search on foot here. It’s out of their way; only no place on the mountain is safe for Frale now.”

“Send him to me quickly, then. I have cast my lot with you mountain people for some time to come, and your cause shall be mine.