"Oh, yes, _you_ can! Men can do anything they like. I told you I was jealous."
"Never mind, Lark-child," he returned soothingly. "If I get over with a gun, you can come along and toot a horn. There now, that's a bargain, and you can practice tooting the lark's call until the time comes."
"I reckon I'll have plenty of time to toot myself black in the face before you show up again at Granados," she prophesied ruefully, and he laughed.
"Whistle an' I'll come to you, Lassie," he said with sudden recklessness, "and that's for _adios_, Billie."
"That's enough, Rhodes," said a voice back of them, and Singleton walked forward. "When you got your time, you were supposed to leave Granados. Is this what you've been hanging around for during the past week?"
Rhodes flamed red to his hair as he stared down at the elder man.
"I reckon I'll not answer that now, Mr. Singleton," he said quietly. "You may live to see you made a mistake. I hope you do, but you're traveling with a rotten bunch, and they are likely to use a knife or a rope on you any time you've played the goat long enough for them to get their innings. I'm going without any grudge, but if I was an insurance agent, trying to save money for my company, I'd sure pass you by as an unsafe bet! Keep on this side of the line, Singleton, while the revolution is whirling, and whatever you forget, don't forget I said it! _Adios_, señorita, and--good luck!"
"Good luck, Kit," she half whispered, "and _adios_!"
She watched him as he rode away, watched him as he halted at the turn of the trail and waved his hand, and Singleton was quietly observing her the while. She frowned as she turned and caught him at it.
"You thought he waited here, or planned to--to meet me," she flared. "He was too square to tell you the truth, but it was I rode out here to say good-bye, rode out and held him up! But I did not reckon anyone would try to insult him for it!"
Her stepfather regarded her grimly. She was angry, and very near to tears.
"Time you had your breakfast," he observed, "and all signs indicate I should have sent you East last year, and kept you out of the promiscuous mixups along the border. It's the dumping ground for all sorts of stray adventurers, and no place for a girl to ride alone."