I don't want you to be shot--killed.

I won't have it! If Taggart hasn't gone by this time he will be hidden somewhere over there and when he sees you he will shoot you!" "Well," he said, watching her face with a curious smile; "I'm takin' a look, anyway." In spite of her efforts to prevent him he stepped over the threshold.

She was about to follow him when she saw him wheel swiftly, his pistol at a poise as his gaze fell upon something outside the ranchhouse.

And then she saw him smile.
"It's Bob," he said; "with a rifle." And he helped the boy, white of face and trembling, though with the light of stern resolution in his eyes, into the kitchen.
"Bob'll watch you," he said; "so's nothin' will happen to you.
Besides--" he leaned forward in a listening attitude; "Toban an' the boys are comin'.

I reckon what I'm goin' to do won't take me long--if Taggart's in the timber." He stepped down and vanished around the corner of the ranchhouse.
He had scarcely gone before there was a clatter of hoofs in the ranchhouse yard, a horse dashed up to the edge of the porch, came to a sliding halt and the lank figure of Toban appeared before the door in which Betty was standing.
He looked at her, noted her white face, and peered over her shoulder at Bob, with the rifle, at Taggart on the floor.
"Holy smoke!" he said; "what's happened ?" She told him quickly, in short, brief sentences; her eyes glowing with fear.