And yet behind it all, Antrim could see the threat of those youthful passions; the lurking eagerness for violent action; the hint of preparedness, of readiness.

Antrim was startled, uneasy.  He saw now that he should not have left his men; that he had made a mistake in coming alone to meet Lawler.

He was certain of it now, when he heard Lawler’s voice, saw the cold, smiling light in his eyes.

“You’re wanting my cattle, Antrim.  Your men have been trailing me for two weeks.  You don’t get them.  You’ve got thirty-nine men, and there are only twenty-three Circle L men over there.  I’m not getting any of them killed.  This thing is between you and myself.  Get your hand away from your gun or I’ll bore you!”

He moved his hand—­where it had been—­seemingly—­lying on Red King’s neck, under the mane; and Antrim saw the dark muzzle of a pistol showing in the hand.

“I’m not taking any chances, Antrim—­you can see that.  I’m not going to take any.  If you do anything to attract the attention of your men, I’ll kill you.  Drop your guns, using your thumbs and forefingers.”  He waited, watching keenly, until the outlaw had complied with the demand, the two big pistols thudding dully into the sand beside his horse.

Then Lawler resumed, his voice low and even, as before: 

“Now we’re riding back to the fire, Antrim.  Listen hard, for this means life or death to you.

“We’re going back to the fire.  You’re going to act as though nothing had happened; and you are to tell your men that you have changed your mind about the cattle—­you are to tell them that you are going with me to Red Rock; and you are sending them back to where you came from, to wait for you.”

Antrim stiffened, and his face bloated poisonously.  But he did not answer, for there was that in Lawler’s eyes that convinced him of the futility of attempting resistance.

“You’re going to Red Rock with me,” went on Lawler.  “I’m going to be personally responsible for you.  I’m going to watch you; you’re going to ride ahead of me.  If you talk, or make any motion that brings any of your men back, you’ll die so quick you won’t know it happened!  Do you understand?”

“Damn you, Lawler; you’ll pay for this!” muttered the outlaw.  “I’ll go on your trail and I’ll never let up till I get you!”

Lawler laughed, lowly.  “Just be careful not to get any of that poison in your voice when you tell your men what I told you, Antrim, or you’ll never go on anybody’s trail.  Get going, now; and be careful.”

Antrim wheeled his horse, and Lawler spurred Red King beside him.

“I’ll be watching you, Antrim,” he warned.  “If your men show they suspect anything wrong you go down, mighty rapid.  You don’t get off your horse until your men go.  And there is to be no playing for time.  You talk fast and earnest, and carefully.  Go ahead.”

Riding slightly in Antrim’s rear, Lawler followed the outlaw to the fire.  There had come no change in the positions of the outlaws or of the Circle L men.  And when Antrim and Lawler rode up there was a silence during which the men of both factions looked interrogatively at their leaders.