And as far as the state of his mind was concerned, upon the second day after his return, the valley, with its golden hues and purple shades, the speaking west wind and the cool, silent night, and Bess’s watching eyes with their wonderful light, so wrought upon Venters that he might never have left them at all.

That very afternoon he set to work.  Only one thing hindered him upon beginning, though it in no wise checked his delight, and that in the multiplicity of tasks planned to make a paradise out of the valley he could not choose the one with which to begin.  He had to grow into the habit of passing from one dreamy pleasure to another, like a bee going from flower to flower in the valley, and he found this wandering habit likely to extend to his labors.  Nevertheless, he made a start.

At the outset he discovered Bess to be both a considerable help in some ways and a very great hindrance in others.  Her excitement and joy were spurs, inspirations; but she was utterly impracticable in her ideas, and she flitted from one plan to another with bewildering vacillation.  Moreover, he fancied that she grew more eager, youthful, and sweet; and he marked that it was far easier to watch her and listen to her than it was to work.  Therefore he gave her tasks that necessitated her going often to the cave where he had stored his packs.

Upon the last of these trips, when he was some distance down the terrace and out of sight of camp, he heard a scream, and then the sharp barking of the dogs.

For an instant he straightened up, amazed.  Danger for her had been absolutely out of his mind.  She had seen a rattlesnake—­or a wildcat.  Still she would not have been likely to scream at sight of either; and the barking of the dogs was ominous.  Dropping his work, he dashed back along the terrace.  Upon breaking through a clump of aspens he saw the dark form of a man in the camp.  Cold, then hot, Venters burst into frenzied speed to reach his guns.  He was cursing himself for a thoughtless fool when the man’s tall form became familiar and he recognized Lassiter.  Then the reversal of emotions changed his run to a walk; he tried to call out, but his voice refused to carry; when he reached camp there was Lassiter staring at the white-faced girl.  By that time Ring and Whitie had recognized him.

“Hello, Venters!  I’m makin’ you a visit,” said Lassiter, slowly.  “An’ I’m some surprised to see you’ve a—­a young feller for company.”

One glance had sufficed for the keen rider to read Bess’s real sex, and for once his cool calm had deserted him.  He stared till the white of Bess’s cheeks flared into crimson.  That, if it were needed, was the concluding evidence of her femininity, for it went fittingly with her sun-tinted hair and darkened, dilated eyes, the sweetness of her mouth, and the striking symmetry of her slender shape.

“Heavens!  Lassiter!” panted Venters, when he caught his breath.  “What relief—­it’s only you!  How—­in the name of all that’s wonderful—­did you ever get here?”