Summary

The next day the stranger is still at the camp. While the men go the mine to work, he sits under a tree and fantasizes about Betty while watching her do her chores. When the men return for lunch, he eats the majority of Shagpoke’s provisions and takes one of his cigars without permission. He tells a story about going hunting with his best friend and killing him for claiming the same deer and a tale of shooting a teacher for trying to discipline him. Lemuel and Jake Raven go back to work while Shagpoke heads to town to buy more provisions. Jake Raven heads back to camp for dynamite and Lemuel becomes concerned after he doesn't return for several hours. Lemuel arrives at camp to find it empty, until he hears Betty screaming in the cabin.

In Chapter 26, Lemuel breaks down...