CHAPTER X.
Two weeks of lonely solitude in the forest had worked incalculable change in Ellen Jorth.
Late in June her father and her two uncles had packed and ridden off with Daggs, Colter, and six other men, all heavily armed, some somber with drink, others hard and grim with a foretaste of fight.

Ellen had not been given any orders.

Her father had forgotten to bid her good-by or had avoided it.

Their dark mission was stamped on their faces.
They had gone and, keen as had been Ellen's pang, nevertheless, their departure was a relief.

She had heard them bluster and brag so often that she had her doubts of any great Jorth-Isbel war.