But all of Dwight Wade's stubborn obstinacy rose in his breast; all his youthful chivalry flamed in his face.
"I've no more business with you, Britt!" he said, significantly; and Britt's face flamed with the remembrance of a certain knock-down blow. "My business is with you, Mr. Barrett, and you know what it is. You keep the word that you've given me about this girl, or I'll set you before the people of this State in your right colors--and you needn't croak blackmail to me, for you can't frighten me."
"I--I--don't see that it's any business of yours--of yours, Wade," stammered the pacificatory Ide, catching the courage of protest from the rather indignant face his daughter turned on the young man.
"And I don't see that it is the business of any of you!" stormed Kate Arden. She came close to the group of men and stood with brown hands propped on her hips, her head thrown back, and the insolent stare of her black eyes seeking face after face. "I'll be passed about from hand to hand no longer. I don't want any old purple-faced fool to send me to school." Barrett winced. "And as for you," she sneered, turning on Wade, "you attend to your own business until I ask you to help me in mine."
The Honorable Pulaski saw his opportunity.
And with a rush that betrayed his impatience, the boss of the Busters came out of his hiding-place up the trail.
The girl gave a sharp cry of joy at sight of him.
But MacLeod, half-way to them, saw the girl on the horse and stopped as suddenly as he had started. Even at that distance they noted that his face worked with piteous embarrassment.
"You've given in your promise, MacLeod! Don't forget that!" roared Britt. "There's the boy for you, my girl! He wants to marry you. Go with him!"
"And you'll be a fool of a gir-rl if ye do!" squalled a voice. It was Tommy Eye, yelling from the top of the Durfy hovel, to which he had clambered unobserved. "I know I'm a drunk. I know I ain't worth anything to anybody!" he gabbled. "But ye saved my life once, Mr. Wade, when I didn't know it!" He flapped entreating hands at Wade, and that young man stepped in front of the furious Britt with such determination on his face that the woods tyrant halted. "But ye'll be a fool gir-rl, I say! I was under the bunk last night when they planned it. He don't love ye! I heard him say so. He called you names! Colin MacLeod, ye ain't the liar enough to stand out here and say ye didn't."