An' I was some worried aboot y'u." "Who's with y'u, Colter ?" queried Ellen, sitting up.
"Rock Wells an' Springer.

Tad Jorth was with us, but we had to leave him over heah in a cabin." "What's the matter with him ?" "Wal, he's hurt tolerable bad," was the slow reply.
Ellen heard Colter's spurs jangle, as if he had uneasily shifted his feet.
"Where's dad an' Uncle Jackson ?" asked Ellen.
A silence pregnant enough to augment Ellen's dread finally broke to Colter's voice, somehow different.

"Shore they're back on the trail.
An' we're to meet them where we left Tad." "Are yu goin' away again ?" "I reckon....

An', Ellen, y'u're goin' with us." "I am not," she retorted.
"Wal, y'u are, if I have to pack y'u," he replied, forcibly.

"It's not safe heah any more.