Before them,the trail,beaten and rutted,stretched interminably,losing itself in the darkness before it slipped over the rounded margin of the world.As darkness increased,the trail seemed to waver before their eyes like a gray scarf that the wind stirs on the ground.On either side of it,the nature of the country varied with strange abruptness,now an unbroken stretch of dead sage-brush showing like isolated tufts in a gigantic clothes-brush--suddenly,a wilderness of white sand shifting as the wind rose--again,broken rocks sown broadcast.Before final darkness came,the trail itself was varicolored,sometimes white with alkali,sometimes skirting low hills whose sides showed a deep blue,streaked with crimson.
But now all was black,sand,alkali,gypsum-beds,for the night had fallen.
In their wide detour they had endeavored to escape detection from the stage-station,but sheltered by no appreciable inequalities of land,and denied the refuge that even a small grove might have furnished,they had,as it were,been held up to view on the prairie;and though so far away,their horses had been as distinctly outlined as two ants scurrying across a white page.
Wilfred reflected.If Kimball,when he came out of that restaurant,happened to look in this direction,he must have seen us;and the first inquiry at the barn would inform him who're on the horses.'But he said nothing until,from the rear,came the sound long-dreaded,telling,though far away,of bounding horses and groaning wheels.
Lahoma!
Yes--I hear them.
My horse is about used up.We'll have to side-trail,or they'll ride us down.
I could go on,Lahoma answered,as she drew bard on the bit,but I wouldn't like to leave you here by yourself.
You couldn't travel that distance by yourself.And good as your horse is,it wouldn't last.But thank you for thinking of me,he added,smiling in
the darkness,as he dismounted.Let me lead your horse as well as my own.
No,said Lahoma,if leading is to be done,I'll do my part.She leaped lightly to the ground and seized her bridle.Side by side they slowly ventured from the trail into the invisible country on the left.They found themselves treading short dead mesquit that did not greatly obstruct their progress.
Keep going,Wilfred said,when she paused for breath.It wouldn't do for our horses to whinny,for those fellows would hear them if it was thundering.Give me your hand.
Here it is,Lahoma felt about in the darkness.My!but I'm glad I've got you,Wilfred!Oh,how they are dashing along!Listen how the man is lashing his whip over those four horses.Wish we could see 'em--must be grand,tearing along at that rate!
The stage was rapidly coming up abreast of them,and Wilfred felt her grasp tighten.There was a flash of lights,a glimpse of the driver's face as of creased leather as he raised his whip above his head--then noise and cloud of dust passed on and the lights became trailing sparks that in a minute or two the wind seemed to blow out.
My poor Brick!Lahoma wailed.Do you think he'll take good enough care of himself from what I wrote in my letters?But no,he doesn't think Red Kimball is coming yet,for I didn't know it till after I'd written.He's with Bill now,waiting for another letter.Or for a telegram.
No,no,Lahoma,Wilfred tried to sooth her.He has been hiding for days.Why should he come out just at the wrong time?You wrote that you'd not send any more messages.Brick will be on the lookout for Kimball.He is sure to be watching out for him.
I know Brick,Lahoma protested,seemingly all at once overcome by the fatigues of her journey and the hopelessness of the situation.I was afraid he wouldn't agree to hide at all;and just as soon as you came away,and there wasn't any more prospects of letters,he'd get lonesome,and tire of staying away from home.He's in that cove this minute,and he'll be there when Red Kimball takes the sheriff after him.Her voice quivered with distress.
Don't be afraid,Lahoma,urged Wilfred,slipping his arm protectingly about her.Don't grieve--I'm sure Brick is in a safe place.
Well,I'M not in danger,said Lahoma,with-drawing from his involuntary embrace.Don't take ME for Brick!Maybe you're right--but no,I'm sure he wouldn't be willing to stay out in the mountains week after week--and during these cold nights!For it is cold,right now.We must hurry on,Wilfred.
There's one comfort,said Wilfred,as they retraced their way toward the trail.Mr.Gledware won't appear as a witness against Brick.We'll get him cleared,easy enough.
But Mr.Gledware WILL appear against him,and he'll swear anything that Red Kimball wants.
I thought he agreed to do that only on condition that a certain pin--YES!But Red Kimball brought him that pin just before I left!Brought him the pin that the Indian had?
Yes,the pearl and onyx pin.And Mr.Gledware seemed to consider it so important that I know Red Feather would never have given it up while he had life.
Then...?
