Riders of the Purple Sage

Venters returns to Surprise Valley and, after a day’s rest, joins Bess in unpacking the supplies he brought. He finds Bess’s excitement over the items both revealing of her innocence and frustrating in her enthusiasm. Venters sends Bess back and forth to the caves to allow him to unpack in a more orderly manner. On one of those trips, he hears Bess scream. He rushes to the cave to find Lassiter there. Lassiter explains that he followed Venters in order to ensure his safety.

Venters walks Lassiter out of the valley after a meal during which Lassiter showed unusual fascination with Bess. Venters explains that he couldn’t tell Jane about Bess because he didn’t want to add to her problems. Lassiter asks about Bess and Venters explains all he knows about her. Lassiter says the next time he sees Oldring in the village, he will talk to him and find out more about Bess. Venters asks Lassiter to tell Oldring that Bess is dead. Venters expresses a desire to kill Oldring for his treatment of Bess.

Lassiter stops and looks at the rock guarding the entrance to Surprise Valley. He comments that he has always enjoyed pushing over rocks and would love to push this one over.