“Holderness, this is a desert.  No men save Mormons could ever have made it habitable.  The Government scarcely knows of its existence.  It’ll be fifty years before man can come in here to take our water.”

“Why can’t he?  The water doesn’t belong to any one.  Why can’t he?”

“Because of the unwritten law of the desert.  No Mormon would refuse you or your horse a drink, or even a reasonable supply for your stock.  But you can’t come in here and take our water for your own use, to supplant us, to parch our stock.  Why, even an Indian respects desert law!”

“Bah!  I’m not a Mormon or an Indian.  I’m a cattleman.  It’s plain business with me.  Once more I make you the offer.”

Naab scorned to reply.  The men faced each other for a silent moment, their glances scintillating.  Then Holderness whirled on his heel, jostling into Hare.

“Get out of my way,” said the rancher, in the disgust of intense irritation.  He swung his arm, and his open hand sent Hare reeling against the counter.

“Jack,” said Naab, breathing hard, “Holderness showed his real self to-day.  I always knew it, yet I gave him the benefit of the doubt. . . .  For him to strike you!  I’ve not the gift of revelation, but I see—­let us go.”

On the return to the Bishop’s cottage Naab did not speak once; the transformation which had begun with the appearance of his drunken son had reached a climax of gloomy silence after the clash with Holderness.  Naab went directly to the Bishop, and presently the quavering voice of the old minister rose in prayer.

Hare dropped wearily into the chair on the porch; and presently fell into a doze, from which he awakened with a start.  Naab’s sons, with Martin Cole and several other men, were standing in the yard.  Naab himself was gently crowding the women into the house.  When he got them all inside he closed the door and turned to Cole.

“Was it a fair fight?”

“Yes, an even break.  They met in front of Abe’s.  I saw the meeting.  Neither was surprised.  They stood for a moment watching each other.  Then they drew—­only Snap was quicker.  Larsen’s gun went off as he fell.  That trick you taught Snap saved his life again.  Larsen was no slouch on the draw.”

“Where’s Snap now?”

“Gone after his pinto.  He was sober.  Said he’d pack at once.  Larsen’s friends are ugly.  Snap said to tell you to hurry out of the village with young Hare, if you want to take him at all.  Dene has ridden in; he swears you won’t take Hare away.”

“We’re all packed and ready to hitch up,” returned Naab.  “We could start at once, only until dark I’d rather take chances here than out on the trail.”

“Snap said Dene would ride right into the Bishop’s after Hare.”

“No.  He wouldn’t dare.”

“Father!” Dave Naab spoke sharply from where he stood high on a grassy bank.  “Here’s Dene now, riding up with Culver, and some man I don’t know.  They’re coming in.  Dene’s jumped the fence!  Look out!”