human
And what I see of you and Dan--if you ever marry--is plain--hell! Love ain't the only thing they is between a man and a woman. They's something else. I dunno what it is. But it's a sort of a common purpose; it's havin' both pairs of feet steppin' out on the same path. That's what it is. But your trail would go one way and Dan's would go another, and pretty soon your love wouldn't be nothin' but a big wind blowin' between two mountains--and all it would do would be to freeze up the blood in your hearts.
gpt
I seen all that, while Dan was sittin' at the foot of the bed. Not that I don't want him here. When I see him I see the world the way it was when I was under thirty. When there wasn't nothin' I wouldn't try once, when all I wanted was a gun and a hoss and a song to keep me from tradin' with kings. No, it ain't goin' to be easy for me when Dan goes away. But what's my tag-end of life compared with yours? You got to be given a chance; you got to be kept away from Dan. That's why I told him, finally, that I thought I could get along without him.
human
Whether or not you save me, she answered,
gpt
Two men? They's only one he's after--and Buck Daniel has had a long start. He can't be caught!
human
That Marshal Calkins is here to-night. He saw Buck at Rafferty's, and he talked about it in the hearing of Dan at the table. I watched Dan's face. You may read the past and see the future, Dad, but I know Dan's face. I can read it as the sailor reads the sea. Before to-morrow night Buck Daniels will be dead; and Dan's hands will be red.
gpt
And besides, Black Bart has found the trail of the man who fired the barn and shot him. And the body of Buck won't be cold before Dan will be on the heels of the other man. Oh, Dad, two lives lay in the hollow of your hand. You could have saved them by merely asking Dan to stay with you; but you've thrown them away.
human
Buck Daniels! repeated the old man, the horror of the thing dawning on him only slowly.
gpt
Why didn't he get farther away? Why didn't he ride night and day after he left us? He's got to be warned that Dan is coming!
human
I've thought of that. I'm going into my room now to write a note and send it to Buck by one of our men. But at the most he'll have less than a day's start--and what is a day to Satan and Dan Barry?
gpt
I thought it was for the best, muttered old Joe.
human
I couldn't see how it was wrong. But I can send for Dan and tell him that I've changed my mind. He broke off in a groan.
gpt
No, that wouldn't be no good. He's set his mind on going by this time, and nothing can keep him back. But --Kate, maybe I can delay him. Has he gone up to his room yet?
human
He's in there now. Talk softly or he'll hear us. He's walking up and down, now.
gpt
Ay, ay, ay! nodded old Joe, his eyes widening with horror,
human
Yes, yes; he's thinking of the blow Buck Daniels struck him; he's thinking of the man who shot down Bart. God save them both!
gpt
Listen! whispered the cattleman.
human
He's raised the window. I heard the rattle of the weights. He's standing there in front of the window, letting the wind of the night blow in his face!