"There, to the side of the road...

and here comes a man....

Oh, if he shouldn't be the one they're expecting!" Helen peered out to see a tall, dark form, moving silently, and beyond it a vague outline of horses, and then pale gleams of what must have been pack-loads.
Dale loomed up, and met the stranger in the road.
"Howdy, Milt?
You got the girl sure, or you wouldn't be here," said a low voice.
"Roy, I've got two girls--sisters," replied Dale.
The man Roy whistled softly under his breath.

Then another lean, rangy form strode out of the darkness, and was met by Dale.
"Now, boys--how about Anson's gang ?" queried Dale.
"At Snowdrop, drinkin' an' quarrelin'.

Reckon they'll leave there about daybreak," replied Roy.
"How long have you been here ?" "Mebbe a couple of hours." "Any horse go by ?" "No." "Roy, a strange rider passed us before dark.