The narrow stretch of sidewalk was jammed with men, surging in and out through the open door of a saloon, and the two held to the middle of the road, which was lined with horses tied to long poles.

Men reeled out into the street, and occasionally the sharp crack of some frolicsome revolver punctuated the hoarse shouts and bursts of drunken laughter.

No other woman was visible, yet, apparently, no particular attention was paid to their progress.

But the stream of men thickened perceptibly, until Westcott was obliged to shoulder them aside good-humouredly in order to open a passage.

The girl, glancing in through the open doors, saw crowded bar-rooms, and eager groups about gambling tables.