In its place was a dogged sullenness, a hang-dog air which one would not care to face of a dark night or in a lonely place.

His manner was that of a man whose back is against the wall, who, having fled some keen pursuit, has now come to the end of his tether and prepares for desperate even if hopeless battle.

There was that about him which made the doctor hesitate to address the cowpuncher.
At length he said: "You're going out for an outing, Mr.Daniels ?" Buck Daniels started violently at the sound of this voice behind him, and whirled upon the doctor with such a set and contorted expression of fierceness that Byrne jumped back.
"Good God, man!" cried the doctor, "What's up with you ?" "Nothin'," answered Buck, gradually relaxing from his first show of suspicion.

"I'm beating it.

That's all." "Leaving us ?" "Yes." "Not really!" "D'you think I ought to stay ?" asked Buck, with something of a sneer.
The doctor hesitated, frowning in a puzzled way.