The youngster's enthusiasm and conceit were astounding. Nor could Joan help the coldness they inspired in her voice.
"She will be lucky--marrying you," she agreed. "But--aren't you afraid you'll miss something if the others get out to the hill before you? I mean, they being such a bad lot."
The man became serious for a second before he answered. Then, in a moment, his face brightened into a grin of confidence.
"Course you can't trust 'em," he said, quite missing Joan's desire to be rid of him. "But I don't guess any of 'em's likely to try monkey tricks. Guess if any feller robbed me I'd shoot him down in his tracks. They know that, sure. Oh, no, they won't play no monkey tricks. An' anyway, I ain't givin' 'em a chance."
He moved toward his horse and replaced the reins over its neck in spite of his brave words. Joan understood. She saw the meanness underlying his pretended solicitation for her well-being. All her sex instincts were aroused, and she quite understood the purpose of the somewhat brutal youth.
"You're quite right to give them no chances," she said coldly. "And now, I s'pose, you're going right out to your claim?"
"I am that," exclaimed the other, with a gleam of cupidity in his shifty eyes. "I'm goin' right away to dig lumps of gold fer to buy di'monds fer that gal."
He laughed uproariously at his pleasantry as he leapt into the saddle. But in a moment his mirth had passed, and his whole expression suddenly hardened as he bent down from the saddle.
"But ef Pete comes around you git busy an' boot him right out. Pete's bad--a real bad un. He's wuss'n Beasley. Wal, I won't say he's wuss. But he's as bad. Git me?"
Joan nodded. She had no alternative. The fellow sickened her. She had been ready to meet him as one of these irresponsible people, ignorant, perhaps dissipated, but at least well-meaning. But here she found the lower, meaner traits of manhood she thought were only to be found amongst the dregs of a city. It was not a pleasant experience, and she was glad to be rid of him.
"I think I understand. Good-bye."
"You're a bright gal, you sure are," the youth vouchsafed cordially. "I guessed you'd understand. I like gals who understand quick. That's the sort o' gal I'm goin' to hitch up with." He grinned, and crushed his hat well down on his head. "Wal, so long. See you ag'in. Course I can't git around till after I finish on my claim. Guess you won't feel lonesome tho', you got to git your farm fixed right. Wal, so long."