What speech known to the tongue could have given me more torture?
She chose the strongest weapon nature afforded her.

And had the calamity to consider been mine alone, I would have laughed at it and taken Sally at her word.

Then I told her in short, husky sentences what had depended on Steele: that I loved the Ranger Service, but loved him more; that his character, his life, embodied this Service I loved; that I had ruined him; and now I would forestall him, do his work, force the issue myself or die in the attempt.
"Dearest, it's great of you!" she cried.

"But the cost! If you kill one of my kin I'll--I'll shrink from you! If you're killed--Oh, the thought is dreadful! You've done your share.

Let Steele--some other Ranger finish it.