After that--after he had delivered her to the other's shack--it would all be up to Mooney, he figured.

And this was what had come of his peace-loving efforts! She was taking advantage of him, defying him, spying upon him--the brat he had fed and brought up for ten years! Her beauty as she stood there did not hold him back.

It was punishment she needed, a beating, a hair-pulling, until there was no breath left in her impudent body.

He sprang forward, and Peter let out a wild yip as he saw Nada raise her stick.

But she was a moment too slow.