"He beat her." Poleon broke into French words that accorded well with the trader's harsh voice.
"The woman sent for the other man after that, for he had been living lonely, loving her all the time, and you'd better believe he went." "Ha! Dat's fine! Dat's dam' fine!" said the other.

"I'll bet dere's hell to pay den--w'at ?" "Yes, there was a kind of reckoning." The old man lapsed into moody silence, the younger one waiting eagerly for him to continue, but there came the sound of voices down the trail, and they looked up.
"Here comes Lee," said Gale.
"Wat happen' den?
I'm got great interes' 'bout dis woman," insisted Poleon.
"It's a long story, and I just told you this much to show what I said was true about a good girl and a bad man, and to show why I want Necia to get a good one.

The sooner it happens the better it will suit me." Neither man had ever spoken thus openly to the other about Necia before, and although their language was indirect, each knew the other's thought.

But there was no time for further talk now, for the others were close upon them.

As they came into view, Gale exclaimed: "Well, if he hasn't brought Runnion along!" "Humph!" grunted Doret.