You'll be all right before long." There was no humour left in his voice now; no mocking in his dark gaze.
She raised her eyes to his in vague distress.
"Where are the others ?" he asked.

"Oh, up on those rocks?
Yes, I see the smoke of their fire....

Say good-bye to them for me--not _now_--some day." She did not understand him; he hesitated, smiled, and took her in his arms.
"Good-bye, dear," he said.
"Good-bye." They kissed.
After she was half-way to the top of the rocks he mounted his horse.

She did not look back.
"She's a good little sport," he said, smiling; and, gathering bridle, turned back into the forest.

This time he neither sang nor whistled as he rode through the red splendour of the western sun.