“Brought up in it.  And I’ve brought my children up in it.  Judith told us about the rotten trick they did you over in Lost Chief.  What are you going to do about it?”

“Get them!” replied Douglas.  “That is, after I find Judith.  I think I know the men who did it, and the sooner they get out of our valley, the more comfortable they’ll be and so will I.”

“But where is that poor old man?” cried Nelson.  “Have you looked for him?”

“I was trying to get a line on him from Scott Parsons when her mother brought word Judith was gone.”  Douglas paused and gave Elijah a straight look.  “I wouldn’t stop to look for any one on earth, if Judith needed me.”

“Judith can take care of herself better than that old man,” insisted Elijah.

“Nothing to it!” grunted Douglas.  “He’s been in the cow country forty years.  Not but what I know it was a frightful thing to leave him.  But it can’t be helped.”

“What shall you do about a church now?” asked Mr. Nelson.

“Build it again for the hounds to burn again!  If I believed in a God I’d say he was off his job as far as I’m concerned.”

“Humph!” exclaimed Elijah.  “If I don’t miss my guess, the Almighty is directing your business these days as he never has before.  You are just about doing what He says and flattering yourself it’s your own plan.  God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.”

“I wish I could believe it,” muttered Douglas, starting for the door.

“Now, I shifted saddle and pack for you to two horses of mine!” said Elijah.  “If you find that girl, bring her back here.  I want to have some talk with you both.  You can pay me rent for ’em, so don’t waste your breath arguing.”

“Well, whether you are a Sioux or a Mormon,” exclaimed Douglas, “you sure are white!”

Elijah grinned broadly.  “Well, that’s a real concession for a Gentile!  Be sure you stop here on the way out.”

It was Douglas’ turn to grin.  “We’ll sure be glad to head straight for here.  But I’ll warn you now.  You can’t make Mormons of us!”

“I’m not a-going to try.  But I want to say a few things to you.  No harm in that, is there?”

“None at all!” Douglas shook hands with his host, then turned to Mrs. Nelson.  “I’m sure obliged to you,” he said.

“That’s nothing.  But look, Mr. Spencer, don’t you be too sure you’re going to bring that girl back with you, even if you overtake her.”

Douglas nodded.  “I know,” he agreed huskily, “I’ve got my work cut out for me.”  Then he went out into the starlight.

Elijah followed.  “The moon will be up by the time you need it.  Follow trail up to the timber line.  Skirt the timber line till you reach the first shoulder of Black Devil.  After that, God help you!  The horse you are on is named Tom.  If you aren’t back in five days, I’ll go over to Lost Chief and get help to look for you.”

“Thanks,” said Douglas, and he rode away.