Dave and his men were coming.
In his heart Bud thanked Little Lost for that hidden path through the bushes.

He heard Dave asking Honey what was the matter with her, heard the unwomanly reply of the girl, heard her curse Pop for his neglect of the kitchen stove at that hour of the morning.

Heard, too, her questioning of Dave.

Had they found Bud, or Marian?
"If you got 'em together, and didn't string 'em both up to the nearest tree--" Bud bit his lip and went on, his face aflame with rage at the brutishness of a girl he had half respected.

"Honey!" he whispered contemptuously.