Zane Grey

The Border Legion Zane Grey

"It ain't you-KELLS?"Roberts's query was a confirmation of his own recognition. And the other's laugh was an answer, if one were needed. The three horsemen crossed the wash and again halted, leisurely, as if time was no object. Theywere all young, under thirty. The two who had not spoken were rough-garbed, coarse-featured, andresembled in general a dozen men Joan saw every day. Kells was of a different stamp. Until helooked at her he reminded her of someone she had known back in Missouri; after he looked at hershe was aware, in a curious, sickening way, that no such person as he had ever before seen her. Hewas pale, gray-eyed, intelligent, amiable. He appeared to be a man who had been a gentleman. Butthere was something strange, intangible, immense about him. Was that the effect of his presence orof his name? Kells! It was only a word to Joan. But it carried a nameless and terrible suggestion. During the last year many dark tales had gone from camp to camp in Idaho-some too strange, toohorrible for credence-and with every rumor the fame of Kells had grown, and also a fearfulcertainty of the rapid growth of a legion of evil men out on the border. But no one in the village orfrom any of the camps ever admitted having seen this Kells. Had fear kept them silent? Joan wasamazed that Roberts evidently knew this man. Kells dismounted and offered his hand. Roberts took it and shook it constrainedly."Where did we meet last?" asked Kells."Reckon it was out of Fresno," replied Roberts, and it was evident that he tried to hide the effectof a memory. Then Kells touched his hat to Joan, giving her the fleetest kind of a glance. "Rather off the trackaren't you?" he asked Roberts."Reckon we are," replied Roberts, and he began to lose some of his restraint. His voice soundedclearer and did not halt. "Been trailin' Miss Randle's favorite hoss. He's lost. An' we got farther 'n wehad any idee. Then my hoss went lame. 'Fraid we can't start home to-night.""Where are you from?""Hoadley. Bill Hoadley's town, back thirty miles or so.""Well, Roberts, if you've no objection we'll camp here with you," continued Kells. "We've gotsome fresh meat."With that he addressed a word to his comrades, and they repaired to a cedar-tree near-by, wherethey began to unsaddle and unpack. Then Roberts, bending nearer Joa