"It will play the deuce with things if it gets through there," mused McCloud. "I wonder how the river is? I've been asleep. O Bill!" he called to Dancing, "what water have you got?"
"Twenty-eight six just now, sir. She's a-raising very, very slow, Mr. McCloud."
"So I am responsible for this invasion," continued Marion calmly. "I've been up with Dicksie at the ranch; she sent for me. Just think of it--no woman but old Puss within ten miles of the poor child! And they have been trying everywhere to get bags, and you have all the bags, and the men have been buzzing around over there for a week like bumblebees and doing just about as much good. She and I talked it all over this afternoon, and I told her I was coming over here to see you, and we started out together--and merciful goodness, such a time as we have had!"
"But you started out together; where did you leave her?"
"There she stands the other side of the fire. O Dicksie!"
"Why did you not tell me she was here!" exclaimed McCloud.
Dicksie came into the light as he hastened over. If she was uncertain in manner, he was not. He met her, laughing just enough to relieve the tension of which both for an instant were conscious. She gave him her hand when he put his out, though he felt that it trembled a little. "Such a ride as you have had! Why did you not send me word? I would have come to you!" he exclaimed, throwing reproach into the words.
Dicksie raised her eyes. "I wanted to ask you whether you would sell us some grain-sacks, Mr. McCloud, to use at the river, if you could spare them?"
"Sacks? Why, of course, all you want! But how did you _ever_ get here? In all this water, and two lone women! You have been in danger to-night. Indeed you have--don't tell me! And you are both wet; I know it. Your feet must be wet. Come to the fire. O Bill!" he called to Dancing, "what's the matter with your wood? Let us have a fire, won't you?--one worth while; and build another in front of my tent. I can't believe you have ridden here all the way from the ranch, two of you alone!" exclaimed McCloud, hastening boxes up to the fire for seats.
Marion laughed. "Dicksie can go anywhere! I couldn't have ridden from the house to the barns alone."