Border Legion (1990) by Zane Grey

cared no more for his companions than if they had not been there. He vied with Pearce in his attention, and the two of them discomfited the others. The situation might have been amusing had it not been so terrible. Always the portent was a shadow behind their interest and amiability and jealousy. Except for that one abrupt and sinister move of Gulden's--that of a natural man beyond deceit--there was no word, no look, no act at which Joan could have been offended. They were joking, sarcastic, ironical, and sullen in their relation to each other; but to Joan each one presented what was naturally or what he considered his kindest and most friendly front. A young and attractive woman had dropped into the camp of lonely wild men; and in their wild hearts was a rebirth of egotism, vanity, hunger for notice. They seemed as foolish as a lot of cock grouse preening themselves and parading before a single female. Surely in some heart was born real brotherhood for a helpless girl in peril. Inevitably in some of them would burst a flame of passion as it had in Kells.
    Between this amiable contest for Joan's glances and replies, with its possibility of latent good to her, and the dark, lurking, unspoken meaning, such as lay in Gulden's brooding, Joan found another new and sickening torture.
    "Say, Frenchy, you're no lady's man," declared Red Pearce, "an' you, Bate, you're too old. Move--pass by--sashay!" Pearce, good- naturedly, but deliberately, pushed the two men back.
    "Shore she's Kells's lady, ain't she?" drawled Wood. "Ain't you all forgettin' thet?"
    "Kells is asleep or dead," replied Pearce, and he succeeded in getting the field to himself.
    "Where'd you meet Kells anyway?" he asked Joan, with his red face bending near hers.
    Joan had her part to play. It was difficult, because she divined Pearce's curiosity held a trap to catch her in a falsehood. He knew-
    -they all knew she was not Kells's wife. But if she were a prisoner she seemed a willing and contented one. The query that breathed in Pearce's presence was how was he to reconcile the fact of her submission with what he and his comrades had potently felt as her goodness?"
    "That doesn't concern anybody," replied Joan.
    "Reckon not," said Pearce. Then he leaned nearer with intense face.
    "What I want to know--is Gulden right? Did you shoot Kells?"
    In the dusk Joan reached back and clasped Kells hand.
    For a man as weak and weary as he had been, it was remarkable how quickly a touch awakened him. He lifted his head.
    "Hello! Who's that?" he called out, sharply.
    Pearce rose guardedly, startled, but not confused. "It's only me, boss," he replied. "I was about to turn in, an' I wanted to know how you are--if I could do anythin'."
    "I'm all right, Red," replied Kells, coolly. "Clear out and let me alone. All of you."
    Pearce moved away with an amiable good-night and joined the others at the camp-fire. Presently they sought their blankets, leaving Gulden hunching there silent in the gloom.
    "Joan, why did you wake me?" whispered Kells.
    "Pearce asked me if I shot you," replied Joan. "I woke you instead of answering him."
    "He did!" exclaimed Kells under his breath. Then he laughed. "Can't fool that gang. I guess it doesn't matter. Maybe it'd be well if they knew you shot me."
    He appeared thoughtful, and lay there with the fading flare of the fire on his pale face. But he did not speak again. Presently he fell asleep.
    Joan leaned back, within reach of him, with her head in her saddle, and pulling a blanket up over her, relaxed her limbs to rest. Sleep seemed the furthest thing from her. She wondered that she dared to think of it. The night had grown chilly; the wind was sweeping with low roar through the balsams; the fire burned dull and red. Joan watched the black, shapeless hulk that she knew to be Gulden. For a long time he remained motionless. By and by he moved, approached the fire, stood one moment in the dying ruddy glow, his great breadth and bulk magnified, with all about