"
Sanderson did not answer. The little man climbed down from the fence
and moved close to him, talking earnestly, and at last Sanderson
grinned down at him.
"I'm doing it," he said. "I'll stay. I reckon I was figurin' on it
all the time."
CHAPTER X
PLAIN TALK
Barney Owen had told Sanderson of his hatred for Alva Dale, but he had
not told Sanderson many other things. He had not told the true story
of how he came to be employed at the Double A--how Mary had come upon
him one day at a shallow crossing of the river, far down in the basin.
Owen was flat on his stomach at the edge of the water, scooping it up
with eager handfuls to quench a thirst that had endured for days. He
had been so weak that he could not stand when she found him, and in
some way she got him on his horse and brought him to the ranchhouse,
there to nurse him until he recovered his strength.
It had been while she was caring for him that she had told him about
her fear of Dale, and thereafter--as soon as he was able to ride
again--Owen took it upon himself to watch Dale.
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