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never stood a chance against him."
        Familiar with Ross's hatred for Harvey Dale, Jake did not like the direction Ross's mind was taking. Anxious to stem his friend's rising frustration, Jake interrupted Ross's low monologue. "Yeah, I know about all that, Ross, but I didn't come back with the news just to stir you up. Dale was real busy in Tombstone after he took his daughter home. He's madder than a hornet and he's hatchin ' up somethin '. I figured you ought to know so you could be on the lookout." Jake paused with a brief shrug. "When you come right down to it, what good would it have done if you had known who the Dale woman was from the start?"
        Ross's eyes took on a sudden menace. He gave a low, mirthless laugh. "What good? I would've listened to you, old friend, and brought her with me."
        "You know I didn't mean what I said, Ross." Jake shook his head in denial. "You know damned well you were right when you said that woman wouldn't be worth the trouble."
        "That was before I knew who she was."
        She still wouldn't be worth the trouble. What would you gain? Hell, Dale's mad enough that we're hittin ' him in the pocketbook. We don't need him puttin ' any more pressure on the sheriff. He's only got one daughter."
        "And my father only had one life."
        Ross, the girl's innocent. She didn't have anythin ' to do with what her father did to your pa or to you."
        Ross's response was a low growl. "That girl hasn't had an innocent day in her life." Unwilling to discuss the matter further, Ross turned and walked to the door, where he paused in contemplative silence.
        Jake snapped his mouth shut tight. His light brows furrowed into a frown. Two and a half years as Ross's cellmate in Yuma Prison had taught him that it was useless to argue with him when he was in one of his dark moods. Silence now and a quiet, persuasive argument later would be far more effective.
        But that realization afforded Jake little peace of mind. He had sensed that somehow, this robbery had been different. Ross had been too tense after this one. In the three months since they had been released from prison they had managed to relieve Till-Dale of six payrolls. Each time, Ross had been jubilant, knowing he was another step closer to causing a financial crisis at Till-Dale. Not so with this last robbery.
        His disquiet growing, Jake watched as Ross turned from the door and began restlessly pacing the small cabin. Jake's frown deepened. He hadn't liked Ross's reaction to Devina Dale. He liked it even less now that they had found out who she was. That girl would be trouble for Ross, and Ross needed no more trouble, especially from a Dale. He had suffered enough.
        Fragmented memories flashed across Jake's mind. Isolation, dark cells, hunger, and hard, grueling, unrelieved labor. Ross had suffered it all right along with him, and Ross had saved his life several times during those days in prison when he had been took weak to defend himself.
        Jake swallowed tightly. Beads of perspiration induced by harsh memories covered his forehead, and he brushed them away with his arm. He'd give his life for Ross Morrison, and he'd be damned if he'd let Ross go off half cocked and end up in prison again. He'd talk to Ross later, when he was in a mood to listen.
        His restless prowling suddenly coming to a halt, Ross walked purposefully to the doorway.
        "Where are you going, Ross?"
        Turning around abruptly, Ross glared darkly in his friend's direction. Hesitating before he responded, he reached into the bucket by the door and withdrew a bar of soap and a razor.
        "If it's any of your damned business, I'm going to cool myself off." Reaching up, he tugged at his ragged black beard. "And I'm going to get rid of this thing. It's too damned hot. I've had enough of it. Besides, it's too easy to recognize, now that the passengers in the coach had a close look at