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diff --git a/4993-h/4993-h.htm b/4993-h/4993-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a27ed52 --- /dev/null +++ b/4993-h/4993-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12294 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + A Texas Ranger, by William Macleod Raine, + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Texas Ranger, by William MacLeod Raine + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Texas Ranger + +Author: William MacLeod Raine + +Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4993] +Last Updated: March 12, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TEXAS RANGER *** + + + + +Produced by Jim Weiler and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + A TEXAS RANGER + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By William MacLeod Raine, + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1910 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_FORE"> FOREWORD TO YE GENTLE READER. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART"> <big><b>PART I — THE MAN FROM THE PANHANDLE</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I — A DESERT MEETING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II — LIEUTENANT FRASER INTERFERES. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III — A DISCOVERY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV — LOST! </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V — LARRY NEILL TO THE RESCUE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI — SOMEBODY'S ACTING MIGHTY + FOOLISH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII — ENTER MR. DUNKE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII — WOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT ME? + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX — DOWN THE JACKRABBIT SHAFT. + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X — IN A TUNNEL OF THE MAL PAIS + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI — THE SOUTHERNER TAKES A RISK + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII — EXIT DUNKE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII — STEVE OFFERS CONGRATULATIONS + </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PART2"> <big><b>PART II — THE GIRL OF LOST VALLEY</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER I — IN THE FIRE ZONE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER II — A COMPACT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER III — INTO LOST VALLEY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER IV — THE WARNING OF MANTRAP GULCH + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER V — JED BRISCOE TAKES A HAND </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER VI — A SURE ENOUGH WOLF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER VII — THE ROUND-UP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER VIII — THE BRONCHO BUSTERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER IX — A SHOT FROM BALD KNOB </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER X — DOC LEE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XI — THE FAT IN THE FIRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XII — THE DANCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XIII — THE WOLF HOWLS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XIV — HOWARD EXPLAINS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XV — THE TEXAN PAYS A VISIT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XVI — THE WOLF BITES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XVII — ON THE ROAD TO GIMLET BUTTE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XVIII — A WITNESS IN REBUTTAL </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_FORE" id="link2H_FORE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FOREWORD TO YE GENTLE READER. + </h2> + <p> + Within the memory of those of us still on the sunny side of forty the more + remote West has passed from rollicking boyhood to its responsible + majority. The frontier has gone to join the good Indian. In place of the + ranger who patrolled the border for “bad men” has come the forest ranger, + type of the forward lapping tide of civilization. The place where I write + this—Tucson, Arizona—is now essentially more civilized than + New York. Only at the moving picture shows can the old West, + melodramatically overpainted, be shown to the manicured sons and daughters + of those, still living, who brought law and order to the mesquite. + </p> + <p> + As Arthur Chapman, the Western poet, has written: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + No loopholes now are framing + Lean faces, grim and brown; + No more keen eyes are aiming + To bring the redskin down. + The plough team's trappings jingle + Across the furrowed field, + And sounds domestic mingle + Where valor hung its shield. + But every wind careering + Seems here to breathe a song— + A song of brave frontiering— + A saga of the strong. +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_PART" id="link2H_PART"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + PART I — THE MAN FROM THE PANHANDLE + </h1> + <h3> + (In Which Steve Plays Second Fiddle) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I — A DESERT MEETING + </h2> + <p> + As she lay crouched in the bear-grass there came to the girl clearly the + crunch of wheels over disintegrated granite. The trap had dipped into a + draw, but she knew that presently it would reappear on the winding road. + The knowledge smote her like a blast of winter, sent chills racing down + her spine, and shook her as with an ague. Only the desperation of her + plight spurred her flagging courage. + </p> + <p> + Round the bend came a pair of bays hitched to a single-seated open rig. + They were driven by a young man, and as he reached the summit he drew up + opposite her and looked down into the valley. + </p> + <p> + It lay in a golden glow at their feet, a basin of pure light and silence + stretching mile on mile to the distant edge of jagged mountain-line which + formed its lip. Sunlight strong as wine flooded a clean world, an amber + Eden slumbering in an unbroken, hazy dream primeval. + </p> + <p> + “Don't move!” + </p> + <p> + At the summons the driver swung his head sharply to a picture he will + never forget. A young woman was standing on the bank at the edge of the + road covering him with a revolver, having apparently just stepped from + behind the trunk of the cottonwood beside her. The color had fled her + cheeks even to the edge of the dull red-copper waves of hair, but he could + detect in her slim young suppleness no doubt or uncertainty. On the + contrary, despite her girlish freshness, she looked very much like + business. She was like some young wild creature of the forest cornered and + brought to bay, but the very terror in her soul rendered her more + dangerous. Of the heart beating like a trip-hammer the gray unwinking eyes + that looked into hers read nothing. She had schooled her taut nerves to + obedience, and they answered her resolute will steadily despite fluttering + pulses. + </p> + <p> + “Don't move!” she said again. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” he asked harshly. + </p> + <p> + “I want your team,” she panted. + </p> + <p> + “What for?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. I want it.” + </p> + <p> + The rigor of his gaze slowly softened to a smile compound both of humor + and grimness. He was a man to appreciate a piquant situation, none the + less because it was at his expense. The spark that gleamed in his bold eye + held some spice of the devil. + </p> + <p> + “All right. This is your hold-up, ma'am. I'll not move,” he said, almost + genially. + </p> + <p> + She was uneasily aware that his surrender had been too tame. Strength lay + in that close-gripped salient jaw, in every line of the reckless sardonic + face, in the set of the lean muscular shoulders. She had nerved herself to + meet resistance, and instead he was yielding with complacent good nature. + </p> + <p> + “Get out!” she commanded. + </p> + <p> + He stepped from the rig and offered her the reins. As she reached for them + his right hand shot out and caught the wrist that held the weapon, his + left encircled her waist and drew her to him. She gave a little cry of + fear and strained from him, fighting with all her lissom strength to free + herself. + </p> + <p> + For all the impression she made the girdle round her waist might have been + of steel. Without moving, he held her as she struggled, his brown muscular + fingers slowly tightening round her wrist. Her stifled cry was of pain + this time, and before it had died the revolver fell to the ground from her + paralyzed grip. + </p> + <p> + But her exclamation had been involuntary and born of the soft tender + flesh. The wild eyes that flamed into his asked for no quarter and + received none. He drew her slowly down toward him, inch by inch, till she + lay crushed and panting against him, but still unconquered. Though he held + the stiff resistant figure motionless she still flashed battle at him. + </p> + <p> + He looked into the storm and fury of her face, hiding he knew not what of + terror, and laughed in insolent delight. Then, very deliberately, he + kissed her lips. + </p> + <p> + “You—coward!” came instantly her choking defiance. + </p> + <p> + “Another for that,” he laughed, kissing her again. + </p> + <p> + Her little fist beat against his face and he captured it, but as he looked + at her something that had come into the girl's face moved his not very + accessible heart. The salt of the adventure was gone, his victory worse + than a barren one. For stark fear stared at him, naked and unconcealed, + and back of that he glimpsed a subtle something that he dimly recognized + for the outraged maidenly modesty he had so ruthlessly trampled upon. His + hands fell to his side reluctantly. + </p> + <p> + She stumbled back against the tree trunk, watching him with fascinated + eyes that searched him anxiously. They found their answer, and with a long + ragged breath the girl turned and burst into hysterical tears. + </p> + <p> + The man was amazed. A moment since the fury of a tigress had possessed + her. Now she was all weak womanish despair. She leaned against the + cottonwood and buried her face in her arm, the while uneven sobs shook her + slender body. He frowned resentfully at this change of front, and because + his calloused conscience was disturbed he began to justify himself. Why + didn't she play it out instead of coming the baby act on him? She had + undertaken to hold him up and he had made her pay forfeit. He didn't see + that she had any kick coming. If she was this kind of a boarding-school + kid she ought not to have monkeyed with the buzz-saw. She was lucky he + didn't take her to El Paso with him and have her jailed. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon we'll listen to explanations now,” he said grimly after a minute + of silence interrupted only by her sobs. + </p> + <p> + The little fist that had struck at his face now bruised itself in + unconscious blows at the bark of the tree. He waited till the staccato + breaths had subsided, then took her by the shoulders and swung her round. + </p> + <p> + “You have the floor, ma'am. What does this gun-play business mean?” + </p> + <p> + Through the tears her angry eyes flashed starlike. + </p> + <p> + “I sha'n't tell you,” she flamed. “You had no right to—How dared you + insult me as you have?” + </p> + <p> + “Did I insult you?” he asked, with suave gentleness. “Then if you feel + insulted I expect you lay claim to being a lady. But I reckon that don't + fit in with holding up strangers at the end of a gun. If I've insulted you + I'll ce'tainly apologize, but you'll have to show me I have. We're in + Texas, which is next door but one to Missouri, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want your apologies. I detest and hate you,” she cried, + </p> + <p> + “That's your privilege, ma'am, and it's mine to know whyfor I'm held up + with a gun when I'm traveling peaceably along the road,” he answered + evenly. + </p> + <p> + “I'll not tell you.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke softly as if to himself. “That's too bad. I kinder hate to take + her to jail, but I reckon I must.” + </p> + <p> + She shrank back, aghast and white. + </p> + <p> + “No, no! You don't understand. I didn't mean to—I only wanted—Why, + I meant to pay you for the team.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll understand when you tell me,” he said placidly. + </p> + <p> + “I've told you. I needed the team. I was going to let you have one of our + horses and seventy-five dollars. It's all I have with me.” + </p> + <p> + “One of your horses, you say? With seventy-five dollars to boot? And you + was intending to arrange the trade from behind that gun. I expect you + needed a team right bad.” + </p> + <p> + His steady eyes rested on her, searched her, appraised her, while he + meditated aloud in a low easy drawl. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you ce'tainly must need the team. Now I wonder why? Well, I'd hate + to refuse a lady anything she wants as bad as you do that.” He swiftly + swooped down and caught up her revolver from the ground, tossed it into + the air so as to shift his hold from butt to barrel, and handed it to her + with a bow. “Allow me to return the pop-gun you dropped, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + She snatched it from him and leveled it at him so that it almost touched + his forehead. He looked at her and laughed in delighted mockery. + </p> + <p> + “All serene, ma'am. You've got me dead to rights again.” + </p> + <p> + His very nonchalance disarmed her. What could she do while his low + laughter mocked her? + </p> + <p> + “When you've gone through me complete I think I'll take a little pasear + over the hill and have a look at your hawss. Mebbe we might still do + business.” + </p> + <p> + As he had anticipated, his suggestion filled her with alarm. She flew to + bar the way. + </p> + <p> + “You can't go. It isn't necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “Sho! Of course it's necessary. Think I'm going to buy a hawss I've never + seen?” he asked, with deep innocence. + </p> + <p> + “I'll bring it here.” + </p> + <p> + “In Texas, ma'am, we wait on the ladies. Still, it's your say-so when + you're behind that big gun.” + </p> + <p> + He said it laughing, and she threw the weapon angrily into the seat of the + rig. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, ma'am. I'll amble down and see what's behind the hill.” + </p> + <p> + By the flinch in her eyes he tested his center shot and knew it true. Her + breast was rising and falling tumultuously. A shiver ran through her. + </p> + <p> + “No—no. I'm not hiding—anything,” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Then if you're not you can't object to my going there.” + </p> + <p> + She caught her hands together in despair. There was about him something + masterful that told her she could not prevent him from investigating; and + it was impossible to guess how he would act after he knew. The men she had + known had been bound by convention to respect a woman's wishes, but even + her ignorance of his type made guess that this steel-eyed, close-knit + young Westerner—or was he a Southerner?—would be impervious to + appeals founded upon the rules of the society to which she had been + accustomed. A glance at his stone-wall face, at the lazy confidence of his + manner, made her dismally aware that the data gathered by her experience + of the masculine gender were insufficient to cover this specimen. + </p> + <p> + “You can't go.” + </p> + <p> + But her imperative refusal was an appeal. For though she hated him from + the depths of her proud, untamed heart for the humiliation he had put upon + her, yet for the sake of that ferocious hunted animal she had left lying + under a cottonwood she must bend her spirit to win him. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to sit in this game and see it out,” he said, not unkindly. + </p> + <p> + “Please!” + </p> + <p> + Her sweet slenderness barred the way about as electively as a mother quail + does the road to her young. He smiled, put his big hands on her elbows, + and gently lifted her to one side. Then he strode forward lightly, with + the long, easy, tireless stride of a beast of prey, striking direct for + his quarry. + </p> + <p> + A bullet whizzed by his ear, and like a flash of light his weapon was + unscabbarded and ready for action. He felt a flame of fire scorch his + cheek and knew a second shot had grazed him. + </p> + <p> + “Hands up! Quick!” ordered the traveler. + </p> + <p> + Lying on the ground before him was a man with close-cropped hair and a + villainous scarred face. A revolver in his hand showed the source of the + bullets. + </p> + <p> + Eye to eye the men measured strength, fighting out to the last ditch the + moral battle which was to determine the physical one. Sullenly, at the + last, the one on the ground shifted his gaze and dropped his gun with a + vile curse. + </p> + <p> + “Run to earth,” he snarled, his lip lifting from the tobacco-stained upper + teeth in an ugly fashion. + </p> + <p> + The girl ran toward the Westerner and caught at his arm. “Don't shoot,” + she implored. + </p> + <p> + Without moving his eyes from the man on the ground he swept her back. + </p> + <p> + “This outfit is too prevalent with its hardware,” he growled. “Chew out an + explanation, my friend, or you're liable to get spoiled.” + </p> + <p> + It was the girl that spoke, in a low voice and very evidently under a + tense excitement. + </p> + <p> + “He is my brother and he has—hurt himself. He can't ride any farther + and we have seventy miles still to travel. We didn't know what to do, and + so—” + </p> + <p> + “You started out to be a road-agent and he took a pot-shot at the first + person he saw. I'm surely obliged to you both for taking so much interest + in me, or rather in my team. Robbery and murder are quite a family + pastime, ain't they?” + </p> + <p> + The girl went white as snow, seemed to shrink before his sneer as from a + deadly weapon; and like a flash of light some divination of the truth + pierced the Westerner's brain. They were fugitives from justice, making + for the Mexican line. That the man was wounded a single glance had told + him. It was plain to be seen that the wear and tear of keeping the saddle + had been too much for him. + </p> + <p> + “I acted on an impulse,” the girl explained in the same low tone. “I saw + you coming and I didn't know—hadn't money enough to buy the team—besides—” + </p> + <p> + He took the words out of her mouth when she broke down. + </p> + <p> + “Besides, I might have happened to be a sheriff. I might be, but then I'm + not.” + </p> + <p> + The traveler stepped forward and kicked the wounded man's revolver beyond + his reach, then swiftly ran a hand over him to make sure he carried no + other gun. + </p> + <p> + The fellow on the ground eyed him furtively. “What are you going to do + with me?” he growled. + </p> + <p> + The other addressed himself to the girl, ignoring him utterly. + </p> + <p> + “What has this man done?” + </p> + <p> + “He has—broken out from—from prison.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “At Yuma.” + </p> + <p> + “Damn you, you're snitching,” interrupted the criminal in a scream that + was both wheedling and threatening. + </p> + <p> + The young man put his foot on the burly neck and calmly ground it into the + dust. Otherwise he paid no attention to him, but held the burning eyes of + the girl that stared at him from a bloodless face. + </p> + <p> + “What was he in for?” + </p> + <p> + “For holding up a train.” + </p> + <p> + She had answered in spite of herself, by reason of something compelling in + him that drew the truth from her. + </p> + <p> + “How long has he been in the penitentiary?” + </p> + <p> + “Seven years.” Then, miserably, she added: “He was weak and fell into bad + company. They led him into it.” + </p> + <p> + “When did he escape?” + </p> + <p> + “Two days ago. Last night he knocked at my window—at the window of + the room where I lodge in Fort Lincoln. I had not heard of his escape, but + I took him in. There were horses in the barn. One of them was mine. I + saddled, and after I had dressed his wound we started. He couldn't get any + farther than this.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you live in Fort Lincoln?” + </p> + <p> + “I came there to teach school. My home was in Wisconsin before.” + </p> + <p> + “You came out here to be near him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. That is, near as I could get a school. I was to have got in the + Tucson schools next year. That's much nearer.” + </p> + <p> + “You visited him at the penitentiary?” + </p> + <p> + “No. I was going to during the Thanksgiving vacation. Until last night I + had not seen him since he left home. I was a child of seven then.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan looked down at the ruffian under his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know the road to Mexico by the Arivaca cut-off?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then climb into my rig and hit the trail hard—burn it up till + you've crossed the line.” + </p> + <p> + The fellow began to whine thanks, but the man above would have none of + them, “I'm giving you this chance for your sister's sake. You won't make + anything of it. You're born for meanness and deviltry. I know your kind + from El Paso to Dawson. But she's game and she's white clear through, even + if she is your sister and a plumb little fool. Can you walk to the road?” + he ended abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “I think so. It's in my ankle. Some hell-hound gave it me while we were + getting over the wall,” the fellow growled. + </p> + <p> + “Don't blame him. His intentions were good. He meant to blow out your + brains.” + </p> + <p> + The convict cursed vilely, but in the midst of his impotent rage the other + stopped and dragged him to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “That's enough. You padlock that ugly mouth and light a shuck.” + </p> + <p> + The girl came forward and the man leaned heavily on her as he limped to + the road. The Texan followed with the buckskin she had been riding and + tied it to the back of the road-wagon. + </p> + <p> + “Give me my purse,” the girl said to the convict after they were seated. + </p> + <p> + She emptied it and handed the roll of bills it contained to the owner of + the team. He looked at it and at her, then shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “You'll need it likely. I reckon I can trust you. Schoolmarms are mostly + reliable.” + </p> + <p> + “I had rather pay now,” she answered tartly. + </p> + <p> + “What's the rush?” + </p> + <p> + “I prefer to settle with you now.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, but I'm in no sweat for my money. My team and the wagon are + worth two hundred and fifty dollars. Put this plug at forty and it would + be high.” He jerked his head toward the brush where the other saddle-horse + was. “That leaves me a balance of about two hundred and ten. Is that + fair?” + </p> + <p> + She bit her lip in vexation. “I expect so, but I haven't that much with + me. Can't I pay this seventy on account?” + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am, you can't. All or none.” There was a gleam of humor in his + hard eyes. “I reckon you better let me come and collect after you get back + to Fort Lincoln.” + </p> + <p> + She took out a note-book and pencil. “If you will give me your name and + address please.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled hardily at her. “I've clean forgotten them.” + </p> + <p> + There was a warning flash in her disdainful eye. + </p> + <p> + “Just as you like. My name is Margaret Kinney. I will leave the money for + you at the First National Bank.” + </p> + <p> + She gathered up the rains deftly. + </p> + <p> + “One moment.” He laid a hand on the lines. “I reckon you think I owe you + an apology for what happened when we first met.” + </p> + <p> + A flood of spreading color dyed her cheeks. “I don't think anything about + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you do,” he contradicted. “And you're going to think a heap more + about it. You're going to lay awake nights going over it.” + </p> + <p> + Out of eyes like live coals she gave him one look. “Will you take your + hands from these reins please?” + </p> + <p> + “Presently. Just now I'm talking and you're listening.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care to hear any apologies, sir,” she said stiffly. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not offering any,” he laughed, yet stung by her words. + </p> + <p> + “You're merely insulting me again, I presume?” + </p> + <p> + “Some young women need punishing. I expect you're one.” + </p> + <p> + She handed him the horsewhip, a sudden pulse of passion beating fiercely + in her throat. “Very well. Make an end of it and let me see the last of + you,” she challenged. + </p> + <p> + He cracked the lash expertly so that the horses quivered and would have + started if his strong hand had not tightened on the lines. + </p> + <p> + The Westerner laughed again. “You're game anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “When you are quite through with me,” she suggested, very quietly. + </p> + <p> + But he noticed the fury of her deep-pupiled eyes, the turbulent rise and + fall of her bosom. + </p> + <p> + “I'll not punish you that way this time.” And he gave back the whip. + </p> + <p> + “If you won't use it I will.” + </p> + <p> + The lash flashed up and down, twined itself savagely round his wrist, and + left behind a bracelet of crimson. Startled, the horses leaped forward. + The reins slipped free from his numbed fingers. Miss Kinney had made her + good-by and was descending swiftly into the valley. + </p> + <p> + The man watched the rig sweep along that branch of the road which led to + the south. Then he looked at his wrist and laughed. + </p> + <p> + “The plucky little devil! She's a thoroughbred for fair. You bet I'll make + her pay for this. But ain't she got sand in her craw? She's surely hating + me proper.” He laughed again in remembrance of the whole episode, finding + in it something that stirred his blood immensely. + </p> + <p> + After the trap had swept round a curve out of sight he disappeared in the + mesquite and bear-grass, presently returning with the roan that had been + ridden by the escaped convict. + </p> + <p> + “Whoever would suppose she was the sister of that scurvy scalawag with + jailbird branded all over his hulking hide? He ain't fit to wipe her + little feet on. She's as fine as silk. Think of her going through what she + is to save that coyote, and him as crooked as a dog's hind leg. There + ain't any limit to what a good woman will do for a man when she thinks + he's got a claim on her, more especially if he's a ruffian.” + </p> + <p> + With this bit of philosophic observation he rolled a cigarette and lit it. + </p> + <p> + “Him fall into bad company and be led away?” he added in disgust. “There + ain't any worse than him. But he'll work her to the limit before she finds + it out.” + </p> + <p> + Leisurely he swung to the saddle and rode down into the valley of the San + Xavier, which rolled away from his feet in numberless tawny waves of + unfeatured foot-hills and mesas and washes. Almost as far as the eye could + see there stretched a sea of hilltops bathed in sun. Only on the west were + they bounded, by the irregular saw-toothed edge of the Frenchman Hills, + silhouetted against an incomparable blue. For a stretch of many miles the + side of the range was painted scarlet by millions of poppies splashed + broadcast. + </p> + <p> + “Nature's gone to flower-gardening for fair on the mountains,” murmured + the rider. “What with one thing and another I've got a notion I'm going to + take a liking to this country.” + </p> + <p> + The man was plainly very tired with rapid travel, and about the middle of + the afternoon the young man unsaddled and picketed the animal near a + water-hole. He lay down in the shadow of a cottonwood, flat on his back, + face upturned to the deep cobalt sky. Presently the drowse of the + afternoon crept over him. The slumberous valley grew hazy to his nodding + eyes. The reluctant lids ceased to open and he was fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II — LIEUTENANT FRASER INTERFERES. + </h2> + <p> + The sun had declined almost to a saddle in the Cuesta del Burro when the + sleeper reopened his eyes. Even before he had shaken himself free of sleep + he was uneasily aware of something wrong. Hazily the sound of voices + drifted to him across an immense space. Blurred figures crossed before his + unfocused gaze. + </p> + <p> + The first thing he saw clearly was the roan, still grazing in the circle + of its picket-rope. Beside the bronco were two men looking the animal over + critically. + </p> + <p> + “Been going some,” he heard one remark, pointing at the same time to the + sweat-stains that streaked the shoulders and flanks. + </p> + <p> + “If he had me on his back he'd still be burning the wind, me being in his + boots,” returned the second, with a grating laugh, jerking his head toward + the sleeper. “Whatever led the durned fool to stop this side of the line + beats me.” + </p> + <p> + “If he was hiking for Chihuahua he's been hitting a mighty crooked trail. + I don't savvy it, him knowing the country as well as they say he does,” + the first speaker made answer. + </p> + <p> + The traveler's circling eye now discovered two more men, each of them + covering him with a rifle. A voice from the rear assured him there was + also a fifth member to the party. + </p> + <p> + “Look out! He's awake,” it warned. + </p> + <p> + The young man's hand inadvertently moved toward his revolver-butt. This + drew a sharp imperative order from one of the men in front. + </p> + <p> + “Throw up your hands, and damn quick!” + </p> + <p> + “You seem to have the call, gentlemen,” he smiled. “Would you mind telling + me what it's all about?” + </p> + <p> + “You know what it's all about as well as we do. Collect his gun, Tom.” + </p> + <p> + “This hold-up business seems to be a habit in this section. Second time + to-day I've been the victim of it,” said the victim easily. + </p> + <p> + “It will be the last,” retorted one of the men grimly. + </p> + <p> + “If you're after the mazuma you've struck a poor bank.” + </p> + <p> + “You've got your nerve,” cried one of the men in a rage; and another + demanded: “Where did you get that hawss?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I got it—” The young man stopped in the middle of his + sentence. His jaw clamped and his eyes grew hard. “I expect you better + explain what right you got to ask that question.” + </p> + <p> + The man laughed without cordiality. “Seeing as I have owned it three years + I allow I have some right.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the use of talking? He's the man we want, broke in another + impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “Who is the man you want?” asked their prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “You're the man we want, Jim Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + “Wrong guess. My name is Larry Neill. I'm from the Panhandle and I've + never been in this part of the country till two days ago.” + </p> + <p> + “You may have a dozen names. We don't care what you call yourself. Of + course you would deny being the man we're after. But that don't go with + us.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. Take me back to Fort Lincoln, or take me to the prison + officials. They will tell you whether I am the man.” + </p> + <p> + The leader of the party pounced on his slip. “Who mentioned prison? Who + told you we wanted an escaped prisoner?” + </p> + <p> + “He's give himself away,” triumphed the one edged Tom. “I guess that + clinches it. He's riding Maloney's hawss. He's wounded; so's the man we + want. He answers the description—gray eyes, tall, slim, muscular. + Same gun—automatic Colt. Tell you there's nothin' to it, Duffield.” + </p> + <p> + “If you're not Kinney, how come you with this hawss? He stole it from a + barn in Fort Lincoln last night. That's known,” said the leader, Duffield. + </p> + <p> + The imperilled man thought of the girl bing toward the border with her + brother and the remembrance padlocked his tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Take me to the proper authorities and I'll answer questions. But, I'll + not talk here. What's the use? You don't believe a word I say.” + </p> + <p> + “You spoke the truth that time,” said one. + </p> + <p> + “If you ever want to do any explaining now's the hour,” added another. + </p> + <p> + “I'll do mine later, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + They looked at each other and one of them spoke. + </p> + <p> + “It will be too late to explain then.” + </p> + <p> + “Too late?” + </p> + <p> + Some inkling of the man's hideous meaning seared him and ran like an + ice-blast through him. + </p> + <p> + “You've done all the meanness you'll ever do in this world. Poor Dave Long + is the last man you'll ever kill. We're going to do justice right now.” + </p> + <p> + “Dave Long! I never heard of him,” the prisoner repeated mechanically. + “Good God, do you think I'm a murderer?” + </p> + <p> + One of the men thrust himself forward. “We know it. Y'u and that hellish + partner of yours shot him while he was locking the gate. But y'u made a + mistake when y'u come to Fort Lincoln. He lived there before he went to be + a guard at the Arizona penitentiary. I'm his brother. These gentlemen are + his neighbors. Y'u're not going back to prison. Y'u're going to stay right + here under this cottonwood.” + </p> + <p> + If the extraordinary menace of the man appalled Neill he gave no sign of + it. His gray eye passed from one to another of them quietly without giving + any sign of the impotent tempest raging within him. + </p> + <p> + “You're going to lynch me then?” + </p> + <p> + “Y'u've called the turn.” + </p> + <p> + “Without giving me a chance to prove my innocence?” + </p> + <p> + “Without giving y'u a chance to escape or sneak back to the penitentiary.” + </p> + <p> + The thing was horribly unthinkable. The warm mellow afternoon sunshine + wrapped them about. The horses grazed with quiet unconcern. One of these + hard-faced frontiersmen was chewing tobacco with machine-like regularity. + Another was rolling a cigarette. There was nothing of dramatic effect. Not + a man had raised his voice. But Neill knew there was no appeal. He had + come to the end of the passage through a horrible mistake. He raged in + bitter resentment against his fate, against these men who stood so quietly + about him ready to execute it, most of all against the girl who had let + him sacrifice himself by concealing the vital fact that her brother had + murdered a guard to effect his escape. Fool that he had been, he had + stumbled into a trap, and she had let him do it without a word of warning. + Wild, chaotic thoughts crowded his brain furiously. + </p> + <p> + But the voice with which he addressed them was singularly even and + colorless. + </p> + <p> + “I am a stranger to this country. I was born in Tennessee, brought up in + the Panhandle. I'm an irrigation engineer by profession. This is my + vacation. I'm headed now for the Mal Pais mines. Friends of mine are + interested in a property there with me and I have been sent to look the + ground over and make a report. I never heard of Kinney till to-day. You've + got the wrong man, gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll risk it,” laughed one brutally. “Bring that riata, Tom.” + </p> + <p> + Neill did not struggle or cry out frantically. He stood motionless while + they adjusted the rope round his bronzed throat. They had judged him for a + villain; they should at least know him a man. So he stood there straight + and lithe, wide-shouldered and lean-flanked, a man in a thousand. Not a + twitch of the well-packed muscles, not a quiver of the eyelash nor a + swelling of the throat betrayed any fear. His cool eyes were quiet and + steady. + </p> + <p> + “If you want to leave any message for anybody I'll see it's delivered,” + promised Duffield. + </p> + <p> + “I'll not trouble you with any.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as you like.” + </p> + <p> + “He didn't give poor Dave any time for messages,” cried Tom Long bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “That's right,” assented another with a curse. + </p> + <p> + It was plain to the victim they were spurring their nerves to hardihood. + </p> + <p> + “Who's that?” cried one of the men, pointing to a rider galloping toward + them. + </p> + <p> + The newcomer approached rapidly, covered by their weapons, and flung + himself from his pony as he dragged it to a halt beside the group. + </p> + <p> + “Steve Fraser,” cried Duffield in surprise, and added, “He's an officer in + the rangers.” + </p> + <p> + “Right, gentlemen. Come to claim my prisoner,” said the ranger promptly. + </p> + <p> + “Y'u can't have him, Steve. We took him and he's got to hang.” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant of rangers shook his dark curly head. + </p> + <p> + “Won't do, Duffield. Won't do at all,” he said decisively. “You'd ought to + know law's on top in Texas these days.” + </p> + <p> + Tom Long shouldered his way to the front. “Law! Where was the law when + this ruffian Kinney shot down my poor brother Dave? I guess a rope and a + cottonwood's good enough law for him. Anyhow, that's what he gits.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser, hard-packed, lithe, and graceful, laid a friendly hand on the + other's shoulder and smiled sunnily at him. + </p> + <p> + “I know how you feel, Tom. We all thought a heap of Dave and you're his + brother. But Dave died for the law. Both you boys have always stood for + order. He'd be troubled if he knew you were turned enemy to it on his + account.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm for justice, Steve. This skunk deserves death and I'm going to see he + gits it.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Tom.” + </p> + <p> + “I say yes. Y'u ain't sitting in this game, Steve.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon I'll have to take a hand then.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger's voice was soft and drawling, but his eyes were indomitably + steady. Throughout the Southwest his reputation for fearlessness was + established even among a population singularly courageous. The audacity of + his daredevil recklessness was become a proverb. + </p> + <p> + “We got a full table. Better ride away and forget it,” said another. + </p> + <p> + “That ain't what I'm paid for, Jack,” returned Fraser good-naturedly. + “Better turn him over to me peaceable, boys. He'll get what's coming to + him all right.” + </p> + <p> + “He'll get it now, Steve, without any help of yours. We don't aim to allow + any butting in.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you?” + </p> + <p> + There was a flash of steel as the ranger dived forward. Next instant he + and the prisoner stood with their backs to the cottonwood, a revolver + having somehow leaped from its scabbard to his hand. His hunting-knife had + sheared at a stroke the riata round the engineer's neck. + </p> + <p> + “Take it easy, boys,” urged Fraser, still in his gentle drawl, to the + astonished vigilantes whom his sudden sally had robbed of their victim. + “Think about it twice. We'll all be a long time dead. No use in hurrying + the funerals.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless he recognized battle as inevitable. Friends of his though + they were, he knew these sturdy plainsmen would never submit to be foiled + in their purpose by one man. In the momentary silence before the clash the + quiet voice of the prisoner made itself heard. + </p> + <p> + “Just a moment, gentlemen. I don't want you spilling lead over me. I'm the + wrong man, and I can prove it if you'll give me time. Here's the key to my + room at the hotel in San Antonio. In my suit-case you'll find letters that + prove—” + </p> + <p> + “We don't need them. I've got proof right here,” cut in Fraser, + remembering. + </p> + <p> + He slipped a hand into his coat pocket and drew out two photographs. + “Boys, here are the pictures and descriptions of the two men that escaped + from Yuma the other day. I hadn't had time to see this gentleman before he + spoke, being some busy explaining the situation to you, but a blind + jackass could see he don't favor either Kinney or Struve, You're sure + barking up the wrong tree.” + </p> + <p> + The self-appointed committee for the execution of justice and the man from + the Panhandle looked the prison photographs over blankly. Between the + hard, clean-cut face of their prisoner and those that looked at them from + the photographs it was impossible to find any resemblance. Duffield handed + the prints back with puzzled chagrin. + </p> + <p> + “I guess you're right, Steve. But I'd like this gentleman to explain how + come he to be riding the horse one of these miscreants stole from + Maloney's barn last night.” + </p> + <p> + Steve looked at the prisoner. “It's your spiel, friend,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “All right. I'll tell you some facts. Just as I was coming down from the + Roskruge range this mo'ning I was held up for my team. One of these + fellows—the one called Kinney—had started from Fort Lincoln on + this roan here, but he was wounded and broke down. There was some + gun-play, and he gave me this scratch on the cheek. The end of it was that + he took my team and left me with his worn-out bronc. I plugged on all day + with the hawss till about three mebbe, then seeing it was all in I + unsaddled and picketed. I lay down and dropped asleep. Next I knew the + necktie-party was in session.” + </p> + <p> + “What time was it y'u met this fellow Kinney?” asked Long sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Must have been about nine or nine-thirty I judge.” + </p> + <p> + “And it's five now. That's eight hours' start, and four more before we can + cut his trail on Roskruge. By God, we've lost him!” + </p> + <p> + “Looks like,” agreed another ruefully. + </p> + <p> + “Make straight for the Arivaca cut-off and you ought to stand a show,” + suggested Fraser. + </p> + <p> + “That's right. If we ride all night, might beat him to it.” Each of the + five contributed a word of agreement. + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later the Texan and the ranger watched a dust-cloud drifting + to the south. In it was hidden the posse disappearing over the hilltop. + </p> + <p> + Steve grinned. “I hate to disappoint the boys. They're so plumb anxious. + But I reckon I'll strike the telephone line and send word to Moreno for + one of the rangers to cut out after Kinney. Going my way, seh?” + </p> + <p> + “If you're going mine.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon I am. And just to pass the time you might tell me the real story + of that hold-up while we ride.” + </p> + <p> + “The real story?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't aim to doubt your word, but I reckon you forgot to tell + some of it.” He turned on the other his gay smile. “For instance, seh, you + ain't asking me to believe that you handed over your rig to Kinney so + peaceful and that he went away and clean forgot to unload from you that + gun you pack.” + </p> + <p> + The eyes of the two met and looked into each other's as clear and straight + as Texas sunshine. Slowly Neill's relaxed into a smile. + </p> + <p> + “No, I won't ask you to believe that. I owe you something because you + saved my life—” + </p> + <p> + “Forget it,” commanded the lieutenant crisply. + </p> + <p> + “And I can't do less than tell you the whole story.” + </p> + <p> + He told it, yet not the whole of it either; for there was one detail he + omitted completely. It had to do with the cause for existence of the + little black-and-blue bruise under his right eye and the purple ridge that + seamed his wrist. Nor with all his acuteness could Stephen Fraser guess + that the one swelling had been made by a gold ring on the clenched fist of + an angry girl held tight in Larry Neill's arms, the other by the lash of a + horsewhip wielded by the same young woman. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III — A DISCOVERY + </h2> + <p> + The roan, having been much refreshed by a few hours on grass, proved to be + a good traveller. The two men took a road-gait and held it steadily till + they reached a telephone-line which stretched across the desert and joined + two outposts of civilization. Steve strapped on his climbing spurs and + went up a post lightly with his test outfit. In a few minutes he had + Moreno on the wire and was in touch with one of his rangers. + </p> + <p> + “Hello! This you, Ferguson? This is Fraser. No, Fraser—Lieutenant + Fraser. Yes. How many of the boys can you get in touch with right away? + Two? Good. I want you to cover the Arivaca cut-off. Kinney is headed that + way in a rig. His sister is with him. She is not to be injured under any + circumstances. Understand? Wire me at the Mal Pais mines to-morrow your + news. By the way, Tom Long and some of the boys are headed down that way + with notions of lynching Kinney. Dodge them if you can and rush your man + up to the Mal Pais. Good-bye.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose they can't dodge them?” ventured Neill after Steve had rejoined + him. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon they can. If not—well, my rangers are good boys; I expect + they won't give up a prisoner.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm right glad to find you are going to the Mal Pais mines with me, + lieutenant. I wasn't expecting company on the way.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll bet a dollar Mex against two plunks gold that you're wondering + whyfor I'm going.” + </p> + <p> + Larry laughed. “You're right. I was wondering.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, it's this way. What with all these boys on Kinney's trail + he's as good as rounded up. Fact is, Kinney's only a weak sister anyhow. + He turned State's witness at the trial, and it was his testimony that + convicted Struve. I know something about this because I happened to be the + man that caught Struve. I had just joined the rangers. It was my first + assignment. The other three got away. Two of them escaped and the third + was not tried for lack of sufficient evidence. Now, then: Kinney rides the + rods from Yuma to Marfa and is now or had ought to be somewhere in this + valley between Posa Buena and Taylor's ranch. But where is Struve, the + hardier ruffian of the two? He ain't been seen since they broke out. He + sure never reached Ft. Lincoln. My notion is that he dropped off the train + in the darkness about Casa Grande, then rolled his tail for the Mal Pais + country. Your eyes are asking whys mighty loud, my friend; and my answer + is that there's a man up there mebbe who has got to hide Struve if he + shows up. That's only a guess, but it looks good to me. This man was the + brains of the whole outfit, and folks say that he's got cached the whole + haul the gang made from that S. P. hold-up. What's more, he scattered gold + so liberal that his name wasn't even mentioned at the trial. He's a big + man now, a millionaire copper king and into gold-mines up to the hocks. In + the Southwest those things happen. It doesn't always do to look too + closely at a man's past. + </p> + <p> + “We'll say Struve drops in on him and threatens to squeak. Mebbe he has + got evidence; mebbe he hasn't. Anyhow, our big duck wants to forget the + time he was wearing a mask and bending a six-gun for a living. Also and + moreover, he's right anxious to have other folks get a chance to forget. + From what I can hear he's clean mashed on some girl at Amarillo, or maybe + it's Fort Lincoln. See what a twist Strove's got on him if he can slip + into the Mal Pais country on the q. t.” + </p> + <p> + “And you're going up there to look out for him?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going in to take a casual look around. There's no telling what a man + might happen onto accidentally if he travels with his ear to the ground.” + </p> + <p> + The other nodded. He could now understand easily why Fraser was going into + the Mal Pais country, but he could not make out why the ranger, naturally + a man who lived under his own hat and kept his own counsel, had told him + so much as he had. The officer shortly relieved his mind on this point. + </p> + <p> + “I may need help while I'm there. May I call on you if I do, seh?” + </p> + <p> + Neill felt his heart warm toward this hard-faced, genial frontiersman, who + knew how to judge so well the timbre of a casual acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + “You sure may, lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. I'll count on you then.” + </p> + <p> + So, in these few words, the compact of friendship and alliance was sealed + between them. Each of them was strangely taken with the other, but it is + not the way of the Anglo-Saxon fighting man to voice his sentiment. Though + each of them admired the stark courage and the flawless fortitude he knew + to dwell in the other, impassivity sat on their faces like an ice-mask. + For this is the hall-mark of the Southwest, that a man must love and hate + with the same unchanging face of iron, save only when a woman is in + consideration. + </p> + <p> + They were to camp that night by Cottonwood Spring, and darkness caught + them still some miles from their camp. They were on no road, but were + travelling across country through washes and over countless hills. The + ranger led the way, true as an arrow, even after velvet night had + enveloped them. + </p> + <p> + “It must be right over this mesa among the cottonwoods you see rising from + that arroyo,” he announced at last. + </p> + <p> + He had scarcely spoken before they struck a trail that led them direct to + the spring. But as they were descending this in a circle Fraser's horse + shied. + </p> + <p> + “Hyer you, Pinto! What's the matter with—” + </p> + <p> + The ranger cut his sentence in two and slid from the saddle. When his + companion reached him and drew rein the ranger was bending over a dark + mass stretched across the trail. He looked up quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Man's body,” he said briefly. + </p> + <p> + “Dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + Neill dismounted and came forward. The moon-crescent was up by now and had + lit the country with a chill radiance. The figure was dressed in the + coarse striped suit of a convict. + </p> + <p> + “I don't savvy this play,” Fraser confessed softly to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know him?” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose you look at him and see if you know him.” + </p> + <p> + Neill looked into the white face and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't know him, but I suppose it is Struve.” + </p> + <p> + From his pocket the ranger produced a photograph and handed it to him. + </p> + <p> + “Hyer, I'll strike a match and you'll see better.” + </p> + <p> + The match flared up in the slight breeze and presently went out, but not + before Neill had seen that it was the face of the man who lay before them. + </p> + <p> + “Did you see the name under the picture, seh?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + Another match flared and the man from the Panhandle read a name, but it + was not the one he had expected to see. The words printed there were + “James Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand. This ain't Kinney. He is a heavy-set man with a + villainous face. There's some mistake.” + </p> + <p> + “There ce'tainly is, but not at this end of the line. This is Kinney all + right. I've seen him at Yuma. He was heading for the Mal Pais country and + he died on the way. See hyer. Look at these soaked bandages. He's been + wounded—shot mebbe—and the wound broke out on him again so + that he bled to death.” + </p> + <p> + “It's all a daze to me. Who is the other man if he isn't Kinney?” + </p> + <p> + “We're coming to that. I'm beginning to see daylight,” said Steve, gently. + “Let's run over this thing the way it might be. You've got to keep in mind + that this man was weak, one of those spineless fellows that stronger folks + lead around by the nose. Well, they make their getaway at Yuma after + Struve has killed a guard. That killing of Dave Long shakes Kinney up a + lot, he being no desperado but only a poor lost-dog kind of a guy. Struve + notices it and remembers that this fellow weakened before. He makes up his + mind to take no chances. From that moment he watches for a chance to make + an end of his pardner. At Casa Grande they drop off the train they're + riding and cut across country toward the Mal Pais. Mebbe they quarrel or + mebbe Struve gets his chance and takes it. But after he has shot his man + he sees he has made a mistake. Perhaps they were seen travelling in that + direction. Anyhow, he is afraid the body will be found since he can't bury + it right. He changes his plan and takes a big chance; cuts back to the + track, boards a freight, and reaches Fort Lincoln.” + </p> + <p> + “My God!” cried the other, startled for once out of his calm. + </p> + <p> + The officer nodded. “You're on the trail right enough. I wish we were both + wrong, but we ain't.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely she would have known he wasn't her brother, surely—” + </p> + <p> + The ranger shook his head. “She hadn't seen the black sheep since she was + a kid of about seven. How would she know what he looked like? And Struve + was primed with all the facts he had heard Kinney blat out time and again. + She wasn't suspecting any imposition and he worked her to a + fare-you-well.” + </p> + <p> + Larry Neill set his teeth on a wave of icy despair. + </p> + <p> + “And she's in that devil's power. She would be as safe in a den of + rattlers. To think that I had my foot on his neck this mo'ning and didn't + break it.” + </p> + <p> + “She's safe so long as she is necessary to him. She's in deadly peril as + soon as he finds her one witness too many. If he walks into my boys' trap + at the Arivaca cut-off, all right. If not, God help her! I've shut the + door to Mexico and safety in his face. He'll strike back for the Mal Pais + country. It's his one chance, and he'll want to travel light and fast.” + </p> + <p> + “If he starts back Tom Long's party may get him.” + </p> + <p> + “That's one more chance for her, but it's a slim one. He'll cut straight + across country; they're following the trail. No, seh, our best bet is my + rangers. They'd ought to land him, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ought to,” derided the other impatiently. “Point is, if they don't. + How are we going to save her? You know this country. I don't.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't tear your shirt, amigo,” smiled the ranger. “We'll arrive faster if + we don't go off half-cocked. Let's picket the broncs, amble down to the + spring, and smoke a cigarette. We've got to ride twenty miles for fresh + hawsses and these have got to have a little rest.” + </p> + <p> + They unsaddled and picketed, then strolled to the spring. + </p> + <p> + “I've been thinking that maybe we have made a mistake. Isn't it possible + the man with Miss Kinney is not Struve?” asked Neill. + </p> + <p> + “That's easy proved. You saw him this mo'ning.” The lieutenant went down + into his pocket once more for a photograph. “Does this favor the man with + Miss Kinney?” + </p> + <p> + Under the blaze of another match, shielded by the ranger's hands, Larry + looked into the scowling, villainous face he had seen earlier in the day. + There could be no mistaking those leering, cruel eyes nor the ratlike, + shifty look of the face, not to mention the long scar across it. His heart + sank. + </p> + <p> + “It's the man.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you blame yourself for not putting his lights out. How could you + tell who he was?” + </p> + <p> + “I knew he was a ruffian, hide and hair.” + </p> + <p> + “But you thought he was her brother and that's a whole lot different. What + do you say to grubbing here? We've got to go to the Halle ranch for + hawsses and it's a long jog.” + </p> + <p> + They lit a fire and over their coffee discussed plans. In the midst of + these the Southerner picked up idly a piece of wrapping-paper. Upon it was + pencilled a wavering scrawl: + </p> + <p> + Bleeding has broke out again. Can't stop it. Struve shot me and left me + for dead ten miles back. I didn't kill the guard or know he meant to. J. + KINNEY. + </p> + <p> + Neill handed the paper to the ranger, who read it through, folded it, and + gave it back to the other. + </p> + <p> + “Keep that paper. We may need it.” His grave eyes went up the trail to + where the dark figure lay motionless in the cold moonlight. “Well, he's + come to the end of the trail—the only end he could have reached. He + wasn't strong enough to survive as a bad man. Poor devil!” + </p> + <p> + They buried him in a clump of cottonwoods and left a little pile of rocks + to mark the spot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV — LOST! + </h2> + <p> + After her precipitate leave-taking of the man whose team she had bought or + borrowed, Margaret Kinney nursed the fires of her indignation in silence, + banking them for future use against the time when she should meet him + again in the event that should ever happen. She brought her whip-lash + snapping above the backs of the horses, and there was that in the supple + motion of the small strong wrist which suggested that nothing would have + pleased her more than having this audacious Texan there in place of the + innocent animals. For whatever of inherited savagery lay latent in her + blood had been flogged to the surface by the circumstances into which she + had been thrust. Never in all her placid life had she known the tug of + passion any closer than from across the footlights of a theatre. + </p> + <p> + She had had, to be sure, one stinging shame, but it had been buried in + far-away Arizona, quite beyond the ken of the convention-bound people of + the little Wisconsin town where she dwelt. But within the past twelve + hours Fate had taken hold of her with both hands and thrust her into Life. + She sensed for the first time its roughness, its nakedness, its tragedy. + She had known the sensations of a hunted wild beast, the flush of shame + for her kinship to this coarse ruffian by her side, and the shock of + outraged maiden modesty at kisses ravished from her by force. The teacher + hardly knew herself for the same young woman who but yesterday was + engrossed in multiplication tables and third readers. + </p> + <p> + A sinister laugh from the man beside her brought the girl back to the + present. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him and then looked quickly away again. There was something + absolutely repulsive in the creature—in the big ears that stood out + from the close-cropped head, in the fishy eyes that saw everything without + ever looking directly at anything, in the crooked mouth with its irregular + rows of stained teeth from which several were missing. She had often + wondered about her brother, but never at the worst had she imagined + anything so bad as this. The memory would be enough to give one the + shudders for years. + </p> + <p> + “Guess I ain't next to all that happened there in the mesquite,” he + sneered, with a lift of the ugly lip. + </p> + <p> + She did not look at him. She did not speak. There seethed in her a + loathing and a disgust beyond expression. + </p> + <p> + “Guess you forgot that a fellow can sometimes hear even when he can't see. + Since I'm chaperooning you I'll make out to be there next time you meet a + good-looking lady-killer. Funny, the difference it makes, being your + brother. You ain't seen me since you was a kid, but you plumb forgot to + kiss me.” + </p> + <p> + There was a note in his voice she had not heard before, some hint of + leering ribaldry in the thick laugh that for the first time stirred unease + in her heart. She did not know that the desperate, wild-animal fear in + him, so overpowering that everything else had been pushed to the + background, had obscured certain phases of him that made her presence here + such a danger as she could not yet conceive. That fear was now lifting, + and the peril loomed imminent. + </p> + <p> + He put his arm along the back of the seat and grinned at her from his + loose-lipped mouth. + </p> + <p> + “But o' course it ain't too late to begin now, my dearie.” + </p> + <p> + Her fearless level eyes met squarely his shifty ones and read there + something she could dread without understanding, something that was an + undefined sacrilege of her sweet purity. For woman-like her instinct + leaped beyond reason. + </p> + <p> + “Take down your arm,” she ordered. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know, sis. I reckon your brother—” + </p> + <p> + “You're no brother of mine,” she broke in. “At most it is an accident of + birth I disown. I'll have no relationship with you of any sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that why you're driving with me to Mexico?” he jeered. + </p> + <p> + “I made a mistake in trying to save you. If it were to do over again I + should not lift a hand.” + </p> + <p> + “You wouldn't, eh?” + </p> + <p> + There was something almost wolfish in the facial malignity that distorted + him. + </p> + <p> + “Not a finger.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you'd give me up now if you had a chance?” + </p> + <p> + “I would if I did what was right.” + </p> + <p> + “And you'd sure want to do what was right,” he snarled. + </p> + <p> + “Take down your arm,” she ordered again, a dangerous glitter in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + He thrust his evil face close to hers and showed his teeth in a blind rage + that forgot everything else. + </p> + <p> + “Listen here, you little locoed baby. I got something to tell you that'll + make your hair curl. You're right, I ain't your brother. I'm Nick Struve—Wolf + Struve if you like that better. I lied you into believing me your brother, + who ain't ever been anything but a skim-milk quitter. He's dead back there + in the cactus somewhere, and I killed him!” + </p> + <p> + Terror flooded her eyes. Her very breathing hung suspended. She gazed at + him in a frozen fascination of horror. + </p> + <p> + “Killed him because he gave me away seven years ago and was gittin' ready + to round on me again. Folks don't live long that play Wolf Struve for a + lamb. A wolf! That's what I am, a born wolf, and don't you forget it.” + </p> + <p> + The fact itself did not need his words for emphasis. He fairly reeked the + beast of prey. She had to nerve herself against faintness. She must not + swoon. She dared not. + </p> + <p> + “Think you can threaten to give me up, do you? 'Fore I'm through with you + you'll wish you had never been born. You'll crawl on your knees and beg me + to kill you.” + </p> + <p> + Such a devil of wickedness she had never seen in human eyes before. The + ruthlessness left no room for appeal. Unless the courage to tame him lay + in her she was lost utterly. + </p> + <p> + He continued his exultant bragging, blatantly, ferociously. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't tell you about my escape; how a guard tried to stop me and I put + the son of a gun out of business. There's a price on my head. D'ye think + I'm the man to give you a chance to squeal on me? D'ye think I'll let a + pink-and-white chit send me back to be strangled?” he screamed. + </p> + <p> + The stark courage in her rose to the crisis. Not an hour before she had + seen the Texan cow him. He was of the kind would take the whip whiningly + could she but wield it. Her scornful eyes fastened on him contemptuously, + chiseled into the cur heart of him. + </p> + <p> + “What will you do?” she demanded, fronting the issue that must sooner or + later rise. + </p> + <p> + The raucous jangle of his laugh failed to disturb the steadiness of her + gaze. To reassure himself of his mastery he began to bluster, to threaten, + turning loose such a storm of vile abuse as she had never heard. He was + plainly working his nerve up to the necessary pitch. + </p> + <p> + In her first terror she had dropped the reins. Her hands had slipped + unconsciously under the lap-robe. Now one of them touched something chilly + on the seat beside her. She almost gasped her relief. It was the selfsame + revolver with which she had tried to hold up the Texan. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of Struve's flood of invective the girl's hand leaped quickly + from the lap-robe. A cold muzzle pressed against his cheek brought the + convict's outburst to an abrupt close. + </p> + <p> + “If you move I'll fire,” she said quietly. + </p> + <p> + For a long moment their gazes gripped, the deadly clear eyes of the young + woman and the furtive ones of the miscreant. Underneath the robe she felt + a stealthy movement, and cried out quickly: “Hands up!” + </p> + <p> + With a curse he threw his arms into the air. + </p> + <p> + “Jump out! Don't lower your hands!” + </p> + <p> + “My ankle,” he whined. + </p> + <p> + “Jump!” + </p> + <p> + His leap cleared the wheel and threw him to the ground. She caught up the + whip and slashed wildly at the horses. They sprang forward in a panic, + flying wildly across the open plain. Margaret heard a revolver bark twice. + After that she was so busy trying to regain control of the team that she + could think of nothing else. The horses were young and full of spirit, so + that she had all she could do to keep the trap from being upset. It wound + in and out among the hills, taking perilous places safely to her surprise, + and was at last brought to a stop only by the narrowing of a draw into + which the animals had bolted. + </p> + <p> + They were quiet now beyond any chance of farther runaway, even had it been + possible. Margaret dropped the lines on the dashboard and began to sob, at + first in slow deep breaths and then in quicker uneven ones. Plucky as she + was, the girl had had about all her nerves could stand for one day. The + strain of her preparation for flight, the long night drive, and the + excitement of the last two hours were telling on her in a hysterical + reaction. + </p> + <p> + She wept herself out, dried her eyes with dabs of her little kerchief, and + came back to a calm consideration of her situation. She must get back to + Fort Lincoln as soon as possible, and she must do it without encountering + the convict. For in the course of the runaway the revolver had been jolted + from the trap. + </p> + <p> + Not quite sure in which direction lay the road, she got out from the trap, + topped the hill to her right, and looked around. She saw in all directions + nothing but rolling hilltops, merging into each other even to the + horizon's edge. In her wild flight among these hills she had lost count of + direction. She had not yet learned how to know north from south by the + sun, and if she had it would have helped but little since she knew only + vaguely the general line of their travel. + </p> + <p> + She felt sure that from the top of the next rise she could locate the + road, but once there she was as uncertain as before. Before giving up she + breasted a third hill to the summit. Still no signs of the road. + Reluctantly she retraced her steps, and at the foot of the hill was + uncertain whether she should turn to right or left. Choosing the left, + from the next height she could see nothing of the team. She was not yet + alarmed. It was ridiculous to suppose that she was lost. How could she be + when she was within three or four hundred yards of the rig? She would cut + across the shoulder into the wash and climb the hillock beyond. For behind + it the team must certainly be. + </p> + <p> + But at her journey's end her eyes were gladdened by no sight of the + horses. Every draw was like its neighbor, every rolling rise a replica of + the next. The truth came home to a sinking heart. She was lost in one of + the great deserts of Texas. She would wander for days as others had, and + she would die in the end of starvation and thirst. Nobody would know where + to look for her, since she had told none where she was going. Only + yesterday at her boarding-house she had heard a young man tell how a + tenderfoot had been found dead after he had wandered round and round in + intersecting circles. She sank down and gave herself up to despair. + </p> + <p> + But not for long. She was too full of grit to give up without a long + fight. How many hours she wandered Margaret Kinney did not know. The sun + was high in the heavens when she began. It had given place to flooding + moonlight long before her worn feet and aching heart gave up the search + for some human landmark. Once at least she must have slept, for she stared + up from a spot where she had sunk down to look up into a starry sky that + was new to her. + </p> + <p> + The moon had sailed across the vault and grown chill and faint with dawn + before she gave up, completely exhausted, and when her eyes opened again + it was upon a young day fresh and sweet. She knew by this time hunger and + an acute thirst. As the day increased, this last she knew must be a + torment of swollen tongue and lime-kiln throat. Yesterday she had cried + for help till her voice had failed. A dumb despair had now driven away her + terror. + </p> + <p> + And then into the awful silence leaped a sound like a messenger of hope. + It was a shot, so close that she could see the smoke rise from an arroyo + near. She ran forward till she could look down into it and caught sight of + a man with a dead bird in his hand. He had his back toward her and was + stooping over a fire. Slithering down over the short dry grass, she was + upon him almost before she could stop. + </p> + <p> + “I've been lost all night and all yesterday,” she sobbed. + </p> + <p> + He snatched at the revolver lying beside him and whirled like a flash as + if to meet an attack. The girl's pumping heart seemed to stand still. The + man snarling at her was the convict Struve. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V — LARRY NEILL TO THE RESCUE + </h2> + <h3> + The snarl gave way slowly to a grim more malign than his open hostility. + </h3> + <p> + “So you've been lost! And now you're found—come safe back to your + loving brother. Ain't that luck for you? Hunted all over Texas till you + found him, eh? And it's a powerful big State, too.” + </p> + <p> + She caught sight of something that made her forget all else. + </p> + <p> + “Have you got water in that canteen?” she asked, her parched eyes staring + at it. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dearie.” + </p> + <p> + “Give it me.” + </p> + <p> + He squatted tailor-fashion on the ground, put the canteen between his + knees, and shoved his teeth in a crooked grin. + </p> + <p> + “Thirsty?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm dying for a drink.” + </p> + <p> + “You look like a right lively corpse.” + </p> + <p> + “Give it to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you take it now or wait till you get it?” + </p> + <p> + “My throat's baked. I want water,” she said hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “Most folks want a lot they never get.” + </p> + <p> + She walked toward him with her hand outstretched. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you I've got to have it.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed evilly. “Water's at a premium right now. Likely there ain't + enough here to get us both out of this infernal hole alive. Yes, it's sure + at a premium.” + </p> + <p> + He let his eye drift insolently over her and take stock of his prey, in + the same feline way of a cat with a mouse, gloating over her distress and + the details of her young good looks. His tainted gaze got the faint pure + touch of color in her face, the reddish tinge of her wavy brown hair, the + desirable sweetness of her rounded maidenhood. If her step dragged, if + dusky hollows shadowed her lids, if the native courage had been washed + from the hopeless eyes, there was no spring of manliness hid deep within + him that rose to refresh her exhaustion. No pity or compunction stirred at + her sweet helplessness. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want my money?” she asked wearily. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take that to begin with.” + </p> + <p> + She tossed him her purse. “There should be seventy dollars there. May I + have a drink now?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, my dear. First you got to come up to me and put your arms round—” + </p> + <p> + He broke off with a curse, for she was flying toward the little circle of + cottonwoods some forty yards away. She had caught a glimpse of the + water-hole and was speeding for it. + </p> + <p> + “Come back here,” he called, and in a rage let fly a bullet after her. + </p> + <p> + She paid no heed, did not stop till she reached the spring and threw + herself down full length to drink, to lave her burnt face, to drink again + of the alkali brackish water that trickled down her throat like nectar + incomparably delicious. + </p> + <p> + She was just rising to her feet when Struve hobbled up. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think you can play with me, missie. When I give the word you + stop in your tracks, and when I say 'Jump!' step lively.” + </p> + <p> + She did not answer. Her head was lifted in a listening attitude, as if to + catch some sound that came faintly to her from a distance. + </p> + <p> + “You're mine, my beauty, to do with as I please, and don't you forget it.” + </p> + <p> + She did not hear him. Her ears were attuned to voices floating to her + across the desert. Of course she was beginning to wander in her mind. She + knew that. There could be no other human beings in this sea of loneliness. + They were alone; just they two, the degenerate ruffian and his victim. + Still, it was strange. She certainly had imagined the murmur of people + talking. It must be the beginning of delirium. + </p> + <p> + “Do you hear me?” screamed Struve, striking her on the cheek with his + fist. “I'm your master and you're my squaw.” + </p> + <p> + She did not cringe as he had expected, nor did she show fight. Indeed the + knowledge of the blow seemed scarcely to have penetrated her mental + penumbra. She still had that strange waiting aspect, but her eyes were + beginning to light with new-born hope. Something in her manner shook the + man's confidence; a dawning fear swept away his bluster. He, too, was now + listening intently. + </p> + <p> + Again the low murmur, beyond a possibility of doubt. Both of them caught + it. The girl opened her throat in a loud cry for help. An answering shout + came back clear and strong. Struve wheeled and started up the arroyo, + bending in and out among the cactus till he disappeared over the brow. + </p> + <p> + Two horsemen burst into sight, galloping down the steep trail at breakneck + speed, flinging down a small avalanche of shale with them. One of them + caught sight of the girl, drew up so short that his horse slid to its + haunches, and leaped from the saddle in a cloud of dust. + </p> + <p> + He ran toward her, and she to him, hands out to meet her rescuer. + </p> + <p> + “Why didn't you come sooner? I've waited so long,” she cried pathetically, + as his arms went about her. + </p> + <p> + “You poor lamb! Thank God we're in time!” was all he could say. + </p> + <p> + Then for the first time in her life she fainted. + </p> + <p> + The other rider lounged forward, a hat in his hand that he had just picked + up close to the fire. + </p> + <p> + “We seem to have stampeded part of this camping party. I'll just take a + run up this hill and see if I can't find the missing section and persuade + it to stay a while. I don't reckon you need me hyer, do you?” he grinned, + with a glance at Neill and his burden. + </p> + <p> + “All right. You'll find me here when you get back, Fraser,” the other + answered. + </p> + <p> + Larry carried the girl to the water-hole and set her down beside it. He + sprinkled her face with water, and presently her lids trembled and + fluttered open. She lay there with her head on his arm and looked at him + quite without surprise. + </p> + <p> + “How did you find me?” + </p> + <p> + “Mainly luck. We followed your trail to where we found the rig. After that + it was guessing where the needle was in the haystack It just happened we + were cutting across country to water when we heard a shot.” + </p> + <p> + “That must have been when he fired at me,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “My God! Did he shoot at you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Where is he now?” She shuddered. + </p> + <p> + “Cutting over the hills with Steve after him.” + </p> + <p> + “Steve?” + </p> + <p> + “My friend, Lieutenant Fraser. He is an officer in the ranger force.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” She relapsed into a momentary silence before she said: “He isn't my + brother at all. He is a murderer.” She gave a sudden little moan of pain + as memory pierced her of what he had said. “He bragged to me that he had + killed my brother. He meant to kill me, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Sho! It doesn't matter what the coyote meant. It's all over now. You're + with friends.” + </p> + <p> + A warm smile lit his steel-blue eyes, softened the lines of his lean, hard + face. Never had shipwrecked mariner come to safer harbor than she. She + knew that this slim, sun-bronzed Westerner was a man's man, that strength + and nerve inhabited his sinewy frame. He would fight for her because she + was a woman as long as he could stand and see. + </p> + <p> + A touch of color washed back into her cheeks, a glow of courage into her + heart. “Yes, it's all over. The weary, weary hours—and the fear—and + the pain—and the dreadful thirst—and worst of all, him!” + </p> + <p> + She began to cry softly, hiding her face in his coat-sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “I'm crying because—it's all over. I'm a little fool, just as—as + you said I was.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know you then,” he smiled. “I'm right likely to make snap-shot + judgments that are 'way off.” + </p> + <p> + “You knew me well enough to—” She broke off in the middle, bathed in + a flush of remembrance that brought her coppery head up from his arm + instantly. + </p> + <p> + “Be careful. You're dizzy yet.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm all right now, thank you,” she answered, her embarrassed profile + haughtily in the air. “But I'm ravenous for something to eat. It's been + twenty-four hours since I've had a bite. That's why I'm weepy and faint. I + should think you might make a snap-shot judgment that breakfast wouldn't + hurt me.” + </p> + <p> + He jumped up contritely. “That's right. What a goat I am!” + </p> + <p> + His long, clean stride carried him over the distance that separated him + from his bronco. Out of the saddle-bags he drew some sandwiches wrapped in + a newspaper. + </p> + <p> + “Here, Miss Margaret! You begin on these. I'll have coffee ready in two + shakes of a cow's tail. And what do you say to bacon?” + </p> + <p> + He understood her to remark from the depths of a sandwich that she said + “Amen!” to it, and that she would take everything he had and as soon as he + could get it ready. She was as good as her word. He found no cause to + complain of her appetite. Bacon and sandwiches and coffee were all + consumed in quantities reasonable for a famished girl who had been + tramping actively for a day and a night, and, since she was a child of + impulse, she turned more friendly eyes on him who had appeased her + appetite. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you are a cowboy like everybody else in this country?” she + ventured amiably after her hunger had become less sharp. + </p> + <p> + “No, I belong to the government reclamation service.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” She had a vague idea she had heard of it before. “Who is it you + reclaim? Indians, I suppose.” + </p> + <p> + “We reclaim young ladies when we find them wandering about the desert,” he + smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Is that what the government pays you for?” + </p> + <p> + “Not entirely. Part of the time I examine irrigation projects and report + on their feasibility. I have been known to build dams and bore tunnels.” + </p> + <p> + “And what of the young ladies you reclaim? Do you bore them?” she asked + saucily. + </p> + <p> + “I understand they have hitherto always found me very entertaining,” he + claimed boldly, his smiling eyes on her. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” + </p> + <p> + “But young ladies are peculiar. Sometimes we think we're entertaining them + when we ain't.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure you are right.” + </p> + <p> + “And other times they're interested when they pretend they're not.” + </p> + <p> + “It must be comforting to your vanity to think that,” she said coldly. For + his words had recalled similar ones spoken by him twenty-four hours + earlier, which in turn had recalled his unpardonable sin. + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant of rangers appeared over the hill and descended into the + draw. Miss Kinney went to meet him. + </p> + <p> + “He got away?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am. I lost him in some of these hollows, or rather I never found + him. I'm going to take my hawss and swing round in a circle.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with me?” she smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I been thinking that the best thing would be for you to go to the Mal + Pais mines with Mr. Neill.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is Mr. Neill?” + </p> + <p> + “The gentleman over there by the fire.” + </p> + <p> + “Must I go with him? I should feel safer in your company, lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll be safe enough in his, Miss Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + “You know me then?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I've seen you at Fort Lincoln. You were pointed out to me once as a new + teacher.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't want to go to the Mal Pais mines. I want to go to Fort + Lincoln. As to this gentleman, I have no claims on him and shall not + trouble him to burden himself with me.” + </p> + <p> + Steve laughed. “I don't reckon he would think, it a terrible burden, + ma'am. And about the Mal Pais—this is how it is. Fort Lincoln is all + of sixty miles from here as the crow flies. The mines are about seventeen. + My notion was you could get there and take the stage to-morrow to your + town.” + </p> + <p> + “What shall I do for a horse?” + </p> + <p> + “I expect Mr. Neill will let you ride his. He can walk beside the hawss.” + </p> + <p> + “That won't do at all. Why should I put him to that inconvenience? I'll + walk myself.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger flashed his friendly smile at her. He had an instinct that + served him with women. “Any way that suits you and him suits me. I'm right + sorry that I've got to leave you and take out after that hound Struve, but + you may take my word for it that this gentleman will look after you all + right and bring you safe to the Mal Pais.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a stranger to me. I've only met him once and on that occasion not + pleasantly. I don't like to put myself under an obligation to him. But of + course if I must I must.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the right sensible way to look at it. In this little old world we + got to do a heap we don't want to do. For instance, I'd rather see you to + the Mal Pais than hike over the hills after this fellow,” he concluded + gallantly. + </p> + <p> + Neill, who had been packing the coffee-pot and the frying-pan, now + sauntered forward with his horse. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what's the program?” he wanted to know. + </p> + <p> + “It's you and Miss Kinney for the Mal Pais, me for the trail. I ain't very + likely to find Mr. Struve, but you can't always sometimes tell. Anyhow, + I'm going to take a shot at it,” the ranger answered. + </p> + <p> + “And at him?” his friend suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I reckon not. He may be a sure-enough wolf, but I expect this ain't + his day to howl.” + </p> + <p> + Steve whistled to his pony, swung to the saddle when it trotted up, and + waved his hat in farewell. + </p> + <p> + His “Adios!” drifted back to them from the crown of the hill just before + he disappeared over its edge. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI — SOMEBODY'S ACTING MIGHTY FOOLISH. + </h2> + <h3> + Larry Neill watched him vanish and then turned smiling to Miss Kinney. + </h3> + <p> + “All aboard for the Mal Pais,” he sang out cheerfully. + </p> + <p> + Too cheerfully perhaps. His assurance that all was well between them + chilled her manner. He might forgive himself easily if he was that sort of + man; she would at least show him she was no party, to it. He had treated + her outrageously, had manhandled her with deliberate intent to insult. She + would show him no one alive could treat her so and calmly assume to her + that it was all right. + </p> + <p> + Her cool eyes examined the horse, and him. + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite see how you expect to arrange it, Mr. Neill. That is your + name, isn't it?” she added indifferently. + </p> + <p> + “That's my name—Larry Neill. Easiest thing in the world to arrange. + We ride pillion if it suits you; if not, I'll walk.” + </p> + <p> + “Neither plan suits me,” she announced curtly, her gaze on the far-away + hills. + </p> + <p> + He glanced at her in quick surprise, then made the mistake of letting + himself smile at her frosty aloofness instead of being crestfallen by it. + She happened to look round and catch that smile before he could extinguish + it. Her petulance hardened instantly to a resolution. + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite know what we're going to do about it—unless you + walk,” he proposed, amused at the absurdity of his suggestion. + </p> + <p> + “That's just what I'm going to do,” she retorted promptly. + </p> + <p> + “What!” He wheeled on her with an astonished smile on his face. + </p> + <p> + This served merely to irritate her. + </p> + <p> + “I said I was going to walk.” + </p> + <p> + “Walk seventeen miles?” + </p> + <p> + “Seventy if I choose.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense! Of course you won't.” + </p> + <p> + Her eyebrows lifted in ironic demurrer. “I think you must let me be the + judge of that,” she said gently. + </p> + <p> + “Walk!” he reiterated. “Why, you're walked out. You couldn't go a mile. + What do you take me for? Think I'm going to let you come that on me.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't quite see how you can help it, Mr. Neill,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “Help it! Why, it ain't reasonable. Of course you'll ride.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I won't.” + </p> + <p> + She set off briskly, almost jauntily, despite her tired feet and aching + limbs. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that don't beat—” He broke off to laugh at the situation. + After she had gone twenty steps he called after her in a voice that did + not suppress its chuckle: “You ain't going the right direction, Miss + Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + She whirled round on him in anger. How dared he laugh at her? + </p> + <p> + “Which is the right way?” she choked. + </p> + <p> + “North by west is about it.” + </p> + <p> + She was almost reduced to stamping her foot. + </p> + <p> + Without condescending to ask more definite instructions she struck off at + haphazard, and by chance guessed right. There was nothing for it but to + pursue. Wherefore the man pursued. The horse at his heels hampered his + stride, but he caught up with her soon. + </p> + <p> + “Somebody's acting mighty foolish,” he said. + </p> + <p> + She said nothing very eloquently. + </p> + <p> + “If I need punishing, ma'am, don't punish yourself, but me. You ain't able + to walk and that's a fact.” + </p> + <p> + She gave her silent attention strictly to the business of making progress + through the cactus and the sand. + </p> + <p> + “Say I'm all you think I am. You can trample on me proper after we get to + the Mal Pais. Don't have to know me at all if you don't want to. Won't you + ride, ma'am? Please!” + </p> + <p> + His distress filled her with a fierce delight. She stumbled defiantly + forward. + </p> + <p> + He pondered a while before he asked quietly: + </p> + <p> + “Ain't you going to ride, Miss Kinney?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I'm not. Better go on. Pray don't let me detain you.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. See that peak with the spur to it? Well, you keep that + directly in line and make straight for it. I'll say good-by now, ma'am. I + got to hurry to be in time for dinner. I'll send some one out from the + camp to meet you that ain't such a villain as I am.” + </p> + <p> + He swung to the saddle, put spurs to his pony, and cantered away. She + could scarce believe it, even when he rode straight over the hill without + a backward glance. He would never leave her. Surely he would not do that. + She could never reach the camp, and he knew it. To be left alone in the + desert again; the horror of it broke her down, but not immediately. She + went proudly forward with her head in the air at first. He might look + round. Perhaps he was peeping at her from behind some cholla. She would + not gratify him by showing any interest in his whereabouts. But presently + she began to lag, to scan draws and mesas anxiously for him, even to call + aloud in an ineffective little voice which the empty hills echoed faintly. + But from him there came no answer. + </p> + <p> + She sat down and wept in self-pity. Of course she had told him to go, but + he knew well enough she did not mean it. A magnanimous man would have + taken a better revenge on an exhausted girl than to leave her alone in + such a spot, and after she had endured such a terrible experience as she + had. She had read about the chivalry of Western men. Yet these two had + ridden away on their horses and left her to live or die as chance willed + it. + </p> + <p> + “Now, don't you feel so bad, Miss Margaret. I wasn't aiming really to + leave you, of course,” a voice interrupted her sobs to say. + </p> + <p> + She looked through the laced fingers that covered her face, mightily + relieved, but not yet willing to confess it. The engineer had made a + circuit and stolen up quietly behind. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I thought you had gone,” she said as carelessly as she could with a + voice not clear of tears. + </p> + <p> + “Were you crying because you were afraid I hadn't?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I ran a cactus into my foot. And I didn't say anything about crying.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if your foot is hurt you will want to ride. That seventeen miles + might be too long a stroll before you get through with it.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what I'll do yet,” she answered shortly. + </p> + <p> + “I know what you'll do.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes?” + </p> + <p> + “You'll quit your foolishness and get on this hawss.” + </p> + <p> + She flushed angrily. “I won't!” + </p> + <p> + He stooped down, gathered her up in his arms, and lifted her to the + saddle. + </p> + <p> + “That's what you're going to do whether you like it or not,” he informed + her. + </p> + <p> + “How are you going to make me stay here, now you have put me here?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to get on behind and hold you if it's necessary.” + </p> + <p> + He was sensible enough of the folly of it all, but he did not see what + else he could do. She had chosen to punish him through herself in a way + that was impossible. It was a childish thing to do, born of some touch of + hysteria her experience had induced, and he could only treat her as a + child till she was safely back in civilization. + </p> + <p> + Their wills met in their eyes, and the man's, masculine and dominant, won + the battle. The long fringe of hers fell to the soft cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “It won't be at all necessary,” she promised. + </p> + <p> + “Are you sure?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite sure.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the way to talk.” + </p> + <p> + “If you care to know,” she boiled over, “I think you the most hateful man + I ever met.” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right,” he grinned ruefully. “You're the most contrary woman I + ever bumped into, so I reckon honors are easy.” + </p> + <p> + He strode along beside the horse, mile after mile, in a silence which + neither of them cared to break. The sap of youth flowed free in him, was + in his elastic tread, in the set of his broad shoulders, in the carriage + of his small, well-shaped head. He was as lean-loined and lithe as a + panther, and his stride ate up the miles as easily. + </p> + <p> + They nooned at a spring in the dry wash of Bronco Creek. After he had + unsaddled and picketed he condescended to explain to her. + </p> + <p> + “We'll stay here three hours or mebbe four through the heat of the day.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it far now?” she asked wearily. + </p> + <p> + “Not more than seven miles I should judge. Are you about all in?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! I'm all right, thank you,” she said, with forced sprightliness. + </p> + <p> + His shrewd, hard gaze went over her and knew better. + </p> + <p> + “You lie down under those live-oaks and I'll get some grub ready.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll cook lunch while you lie down. You must be tired walking so far + through the sun,” said Miss Kinney. + </p> + <p> + “Have I got to pick you up again and carry you there?” + </p> + <p> + “No, you haven't. You keep your hands off me,” she flashed. + </p> + <p> + But nevertheless she betook herself to the shade of the live-oaks and lay + down. When he went to call her for lunch he found her fast asleep with her + head pillowed on her arm. She looked so haggard that he had not the heart + to rouse her. + </p> + <p> + “Let her sleep. It will be the making of her. She's fair done. But ain't + she plucky? And that spirited! Ready to fight so long as she can drag a + foot. And her so sorter slim and delicate. Funny how she hangs onto her + grudge against me. Sho! I hadn't ought to have kissed her, but I'll never + tell her so.” + </p> + <p> + He went back to his coffee and bacon, dined, and lay down for a siesta + beneath a cottonwood some distance removed from the live-oaks where Miss + Kinney reposed. For two or three hours he slept soundly, having been in + the saddle all night. It was mid-afternoon when he awoke, and the sun was + sliding down the blue vault toward the sawtoothed range to the west. He + found the girl still lost to the world in deep slumber. + </p> + <p> + The man from the Panhandle looked across the desert that palpitated with + heat, and saw through the marvelous atmosphere the smoke of the ore-mills + curling upward. He was no tenderfoot, to suppose that ten minutes' brisk + walking would take him to them. He guessed the distance at about two and a + half hour's travel. + </p> + <p> + “This is ce'tainly a hot evening. I expect we better wait till sundown + before moving,” he said aloud. + </p> + <p> + Having made up his mind, it was characteristic of him that he was asleep + again in five minutes. This time she wakened before him, to look into a + wonderful sea of gold that filled the crotches of the hills between the + purple teeth. No sun was to be seen—it had sunk behind the peaks—but + the trail of its declension was marked by that great pool of glory into + which she gazed. + </p> + <p> + Margaret crossed the wash to the cottonwood under which her escort was + lying. He was fast asleep on his back, his gray shirt open at the bronzed, + sinewy neck. The supple, graceful lines of him were relaxed, but even her + inexperience appreciated the splendid shoulders and the long rippling + muscles. The maidenly instinct in her would allow but one glance at him, + and she was turning away when his eyes opened. + </p> + <p> + Her face, judging from its tint, might have absorbed some of the sun-glow + into which she had been gazing. + </p> + <p> + “I came to see if you were awake,” she explained. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am, I am,” he smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking that we ought to be going. It will be dark before we reach + Mal Pais.” + </p> + <p> + He leaped to his feet and faced her. + </p> + <p> + “C'rect.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you hungry?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + He relit the fire and put on the coffee-pot before he saddled the horse. + She ate and drank hurriedly, soon announcing herself ready for the start. + </p> + <p> + She mounted from his hand; then without asking any questions he swung to a + place behind her. + </p> + <p> + “We'll both ride,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The stars were out before they reached the outskirts of the mining-camp. + At the first house of the rambling suburbs Neill slipped to the ground and + walked beside her toward the old adobe plaza of the Mexican town. + </p> + <p> + People passed them on the run, paying no attention to them, and others + dribbled singly or in small groups from the houses and saloons. All of + them were converging excitedly to the plaza. + </p> + <p> + “Must be something doing here,” said her guide. “Now I wonder what!” + </p> + <p> + Round the next turn he found his answer. There must have been present two + or three hundred men, mostly miners, and their gazes all focussed on two + figures which stood against a door at the top of five or six steps. One of + the forms was crouched on its knees, abject, cringing terror stamped on + the white villainous face upturned to the electric light above. But the + other was on its feet, a revolver in each hand, a smile of reckless daring + on the boyish countenance that just now stood for law and order in Mal + Pais. + </p> + <p> + The man beside the girl read the situation at a glance. The handcuffed + figure groveling on the steps belonged to the murderer Struve, and over + him stood lightly the young ranger Steve Fraser. He was standing off a mob + that had gathered to lynch his prisoner, and one glance at him was enough + to explain how he had won his reputation as the most dashing and fearless + member of a singularly efficient force. For plain to be read as the danger + that confronted him was the fact that peril was as the breath of life to + his nostrils. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII — ENTER MR. DUNKE + </h2> + <p> + “He's my prisoner and you can't have him,” the girl heard the ranger say. + </p> + <p> + The answer came in a roar of rage. “By God, we'll show you!” + </p> + <p> + “If you want him, take him. But don't come unless you are ready to pay the + price!” warned the officer. + </p> + <p> + He was bareheaded and his dark-brown curly hair crisped round his forehead + engagingly. Round his right hand was tied a blood-stained handkerchief. A + boy he looked, but his record was a man's, and so the mob that swayed + uncertainly below him knew. His gray eyes were steady as steel despite the + fire that glowed in them. He stood at ease, with nerve unshaken, the + curious lifted look of a great moment about the poise of his graceful + figure. + </p> + <p> + “It is Lieutenant Fraser,” cried Margaret, but as she looked down she + missed her escort. + </p> + <p> + An instant, and she saw him. He was circling the outskirts of the crowd at + a run. For just a heart-beat she wondered what he was about, but her brain + told her before her eye. He swung in toward the steps, shoulders down, and + bored a way through the stragglers straight to the heart of the turmoil. + Taking the steps in two jumps, he stood beside the ranger. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Tennessee,” grinned that young man. “Come to be a pall-bearer?” + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Texas! Can't say, I'm sure. Just dropped in to see what's doing.” + </p> + <p> + Steve's admiring gaze approved him a man from the ground up. But the + ranger only laughed and said: “The band's going to play a right lively + tune, looks like.” + </p> + <p> + The man from the Panhandle had his revolvers out already. “Yes, there will + be a hot time in the old town to-night, I shouldn't wonder.” + </p> + <p> + But for the moment the attackers were inclined to parley. Their leader + stepped out and held up a hand for a suspension of hostilities. He was a + large man, heavily built, and powerful as a bear. There was about him an + air of authority, as of one used to being obeyed. He was dressed roughly + enough in corduroy and miner's half-leg boots, but these were of the most + expensive material and cut. His cold gray eye and thin lips denied the + manner of superficial heartiness he habitually carried. If one scratched + the veneer of good nature it was to find a hard selfishness that went to + his core. + </p> + <p> + “It's Mr. Dunke!” the young school-teacher cried aloud in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “I've got something to say to you, Mr. Lieutenant Ranger,” he announced, + with importance. + </p> + <p> + “Uncork it,” was Fraser's advice. + </p> + <p> + “We don't want to have any trouble with you, but we're here for business. + This man is a cold-blooded murderer and we mean to do justice on him.” + </p> + <p> + Steve laughed insolently. “If all them that hollers for justice the + loudest got it done to them, Mr. Dunke, there'd be a right smart shrinkage + in the census returns.” + </p> + <p> + Dunke's eye gleamed with anger. “We're not here to listen to any smart + guys, sir. Will you give up Struve to us or will you not?” + </p> + <p> + “That's easy. I will not.” + </p> + <p> + The mob leader turned to the Tennessean. “Young man, I don't know who you + are, but if you mean to butt into a quarrel that ain't yours all I've got + to say is that you're hunting an early grave.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll know about that later, seh.” + </p> + <p> + “You stand pat, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, seh, I draw to a pair that opens the pot anyhow,” answered Larry, + with a slight motion of his weapons. + </p> + <p> + Dunke fell back into the mob, a shot rang out into the night, and the + crowd swayed forward. But at that instant the door behind Fraser swung + open. A frightened voice sounded in his ear. + </p> + <p> + “Quick, Steve!” + </p> + <p> + The ranger slewed his head, gave an exclamation of surprise, and hurriedly + threw his prisoner into the open passage. + </p> + <p> + “Back, Larry! Lively, my boy!” he ordered. + </p> + <p> + Neill leaped back in a spatter of bullets that rained round him. Next + moment the door was swung shut again. + </p> + <p> + “You all right, Nell?” asked Fraser quickly of the young woman who had + opened the door, and upon her affirmative reply he added: “Everybody alive + and kicking? Nobody get a pill?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm all right for one,” returned Larry. “But we had better get out of + this passage. I notice our friends the enemy are sending their cards + through the door after us right anxious.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke a bullet tore a jagged splinter from a panel and buried itself + in the ceiling. A second and a third followed. + </p> + <p> + “That's c'rect. We'd better be 'Not at home' when they call. Eh, Nell?” + </p> + <p> + Steve put an arm affectionately round the waist of the young woman who had + come in such timely fashion to their aid and ran through the passage with + her to the room beyond, Neill following with the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “You're wounded, Steve,” the young woman cried. + </p> + <p> + He shrugged. “Scratch in the hand. Got it when I arrested him. Had to + shoot his trigger finger off.” + </p> + <p> + “But I must see to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Not now; wait till we're out of the woods.” He turned to his friend: + “Nell, let me introduce to you Mr. Neill, from the Panhandle. Mr. Neill, + this is my sister. I don't know how come she to drop down behind us like + an angel from heaven, but that's a story will wait. The thing we got to do + right now is to light a shuck out of here.” + </p> + <p> + His friend nodded, listening to the sound of blows battering the outer + door. “They'll have it down in another minute. We've got to burn the wind + seven ways for Sunday.” + </p> + <p> + “What I'd like to know is whether there are two entrances to this + rat-trap. Do you happen to know, Nell?” asked Fraser of his sister. + </p> + <p> + “Three,” she answered promptly. “There's a back door into the court and a + trap-door to the roof. That's the way I came.” + </p> + <p> + “And it's the way we'll go. I might a-known you'd know all about it give + you a quarter of a chance,” her brother said admiringly. “We'll duck + through the roof and let Mr. Dunke hold the sack. Lead the way, sis.” + </p> + <p> + She guided them along another passageway and up some stairs to the second + story. The trap-door that opened to the flat roof was above the bed about + six feet. Neill caught the edges of the narrow opening, drew himself up, + and wriggled through. Fraser lifted his sister by the waist high enough + for Larry to catch her hands and draw her up. + </p> + <p> + “Hurry, Steve,” she urged. “They've broken in. Hurry, dear.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger unlocked his prisoner's handcuffs and tossed them up to the + Tennessean. + </p> + <p> + “Get a move on you, Mr. Struve, unless you want to figure in a necktie + party,” he advised. + </p> + <p> + But the convict's flabby muscles were unequal to the task of getting him + through the opening. Besides which, his wounded hand, tied up with a + blood-soaked rag, impeded him. He had to be pulled from above and boosted + from behind. Fraser, fit to handle his weight in wildcats, as an admirer + had once put it, found no trouble in following. Steps were already heard + on the stairs below when Larry slipped the cover to its place and put upon + it a large flat stone which he found on the roof for that purpose. The + fugitives crawled along the roof on their hands and knees so as to escape + the observation of the howling mob outside the house. Presently they came + into the shadows, and Nell rose, ran forward to a little ladder which led + to a higher roof, and swiftly ascended. Neill, who was at her heels, could + not fail to note the light supple grace with which she moved. He thought + he had never seen a more charming woman in appearance. She still somehow + retained the slim figure and taking ways of a girl, in conjunction with + the soft rounded curves of a present-day Madonna. + </p> + <p> + Two more roofs were crossed before they came to another open trap-door. A + lamp in the room below showed it to be a bedroom with two cots in it. Two + children, one of them a baby, were asleep in these. A sweet-faced woman + past middle age looked anxiously up with hands clasped together as in + prayer. + </p> + <p> + “Is it you, Nellie?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, mother, and Steve, and his friend. We're all right.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser dropped through, and his sister let herself down into his arms. + Struve followed, and was immediately handcuffed. Larry put back the trap + and fastened it from within before he dropped down. + </p> + <p> + “We shall have to leave at once, mother, without waiting to dress the + children,” explained Fraser. “Wrap them in blankets and take some clothes + along. I'll drop you at the hotel and slip my prisoner into the jail the + back way if I can; that is, if another plan I have doesn't work.” + </p> + <p> + The oldest child awoke and caught sight of Fraser. He reached out his + hands in excitement and began to call: “Uncle Steve! Uncle Steve back + again.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser picked up the youngster. “Yes, Uncle Steve is back. But we're going + to play a game that Indians are after us. Webb must be good and keep very, + very still. He mustn't say a word till uncle tells him he may.” + </p> + <p> + The little fellow clapped his hands. “Goody, goody! Shall we begin now?” + </p> + <p> + “Right this minute, son. Better take your money with you, mother. Is + father here?” + </p> + <p> + “No, he is at the ranch. He went down in the stage to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, friends. We'll take the back way. Tennessee, will you look out + for Mr. Struve? Sis will want to carry the baby.” + </p> + <p> + They passed quietly down-stairs and out the back door. The starry night + enveloped them coldly, and the moon looked down through rifted clouds. + Nature was peaceful as her own silent hills, but the raucous jangle of + cursing voices from a distance made discord of the harmony. They slipped + along through the shadows, meeting none except occasional figures hurrying + to the plaza. At the hotel door the two men separated from the rest of the + party, and took with them their prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to put him for safe-keeping down the shaft of a mine my father + and I own,” explained Steve. “He wouldn't be safe in the jail, because + Dunke, for private reasons, has made up his mind to put out his lights.” + </p> + <p> + “Private reasons?” echoed the engineer. + </p> + <p> + “Mighty good ones, too. Ain't that right?” demanded the ranger of Struve. + </p> + <p> + The convict cursed, though his teeth still chattered with fright from the + narrow escape he had had, but through his prison jargon ran a hint of some + power he had over the man Dunke. It was plain he thought the latter had + incited the lynching in order to shut the convict's mouth forever. + </p> + <p> + “Where is this shaft?” asked Neill. + </p> + <p> + “Up a gulch about half a mile from here.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser's eyes fixed themselves on a young man who passed on the run. He + suddenly put his fingers to his lips and gave a low whistle. The running + man stopped instantly, his head alert to catch the direction from which + the sound had come. Steve whistled again and the stranger turned toward + them. + </p> + <p> + “It's Brown, one of my rangers,” explained the lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + Brown, it appeared, had just reached town and stabled his horse when word + came to him that there was trouble on the plaza. He had been making for it + when his officer's whistle stopped him. + </p> + <p> + “It's all over except getting this man to safety. I'm going to put him + down an abandoned shaft of the Jackrabbit. He'll be safe there, and nobody + will think to look for him in any such place,” said Fraser. + </p> + <p> + The man from the Panhandle drew his friend to one side. “Do you need me + any longer? I left Miss Kinney right on the edge of that mob, and I expect + I better look around and see where she is now.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. No, we don't need you. Take care you don't let any of these + miners recognize you. They might make you trouble while they're still hot. + Well, so-long. See you to-morrow at the hotel.” + </p> + <p> + The Tennessean looked to his guns to make sure they hung loose in the + scabbards, then stepped briskly back toward the plaza. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII — WOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT ME? + </h2> + <p> + Margaret Kinney's heart ceased beating in that breathless instant after + the two dauntless friends had flung defiance to two hundred. There was a + sudden tightening of her throat, a fixing of dilated eyes on what would + have been a thrilling spectacle had it not meant so much more to her. For + as she leaned forward in the saddle with parted lips she knew a passionate + surge of fear for one of the apparently doomed men that went through her + like swift poison, that left her dizzy with the shock of it. + </p> + <p> + The thought of action came to her too late. As Dunke stepped back to give + the signal for attack she cried out his name, but her voice was drowned in + the yell of rage that filled the street. She tried to spur her horse into + the crowd, to force a way to the men standing with such splendid + fearlessness above this thirsty pack of wolves. But the denseness of the + throng held her fixed even while revolvers flashed. + </p> + <p> + And then the miracle happened. She saw the door open and limned in a + penumbra of darkness the white comely face of a woman. She saw the + beleaguered men sway back and the door close in the faces of the horde. + She saw bullets go crashing into the door, heard screams of baffled fury, + and presently the crash of axes into the panels of the barrier that held + them back. It seemed to fade away before her gaze, and instead of it she + saw a doorway full of furious crowding miners. + </p> + <p> + Then presently her heart stood still again. From her higher place in the + saddle, well back in the outskirts of the throng, in the dim light she + made out a figure crouching on the roof; then another, and another, and a + fourth. She suffered an agony of fear in the few heart-beats before they + began to slip away. Her eyes swept the faces near her. One and all they + were turned upon the struggling mass of humanity at the entrance to the + passage. When she dared look again to the roof the fugitives were gone. + She thought she perceived them swarming up a ladder to the higher roof, + but in the surrounding grayness she could not be sure of this. + </p> + <p> + The stamping of feet inside the house continued. Once there was the sound + of an exploding revolver. After a long time a heavy figure struggled into + view through the roof-trap. It was Dunke himself. He caught sight of the + ladder, gave a shout of triumph, and was off in pursuit of his flying + prey. As others appeared on the roof they, too, took up the chase, a long + line of indistinct running figures. + </p> + <p> + There were other women on the street now, most of them Mexicans, so that + Margaret attracted little attention. She moved up opposite the house that + had become the scene of action, expecting every moment to hear the shots + that would determine the fate of the victims. + </p> + <p> + But no shots came. Lights flashed from room to room, and presently one + light began to fill a room so brilliantly that she knew a lamp must have + been overturned and set the house on fire. Dunke burst from the front + door, scarce a dozen paces from her. There was a kind of lurid fury in his + eyes. He was as ravenously fierce as a wolf balked of its kill. She chose + that moment to call him. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Dunke!” + </p> + <p> + Her voice struck him into a sort of listening alertness, and again she + pronounced his name. + </p> + <p> + “You, Miss Kinney—here?” he asked in amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Yes—Miss Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + “But—What are you doing here? I thought you were at Fort Lincoln.” + </p> + <p> + “I was, but I'm here now.” + </p> + <p> + “Why? This is no place for you to-night. Hell's broke loose.” + </p> + <p> + “So it seems,” she answered, with shining eyes. + </p> + <p> + “There's trouble afoot, Miss Margaret. No girl should be out, let alone an + unprotected one.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not come here unprotected. There was a man with me. The one, Mr. + Dunke, that you are now looking for to murder!” + </p> + <p> + She gave it to him straight from the shoulder, her eyes holding his + steadily. + </p> + <p> + “Struve?” he gasped, taken completely aback. + </p> + <p> + “No, not Struve. The man who stood beside Lieutenant Fraser, the one you + threatened to kill because he backed the law.” + </p> + <p> + “I guess you don't know all the facts, Miss Kinney.” He came close and met + her gaze while he spoke in a low voice. “There ain't many know what I + know. Mebbe there ain't any beside you now. But I know you're Jim Kinney's + sister.” + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome to the knowledge. It is no secret. Lieutenant Fraser + knows it. So does his friend. I'm not trying to hide it. What of it?” + </p> + <p> + Her quiet scorn drew the blood to his face. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right. If you do want to keep it quiet I'm with you. But + there's something more. Your brother escaped from Yuma with this fellow + Struve. Word came over the wire an hour or two ago that Struve had been + captured and that it was certain he had killed his pal, your brother. + That's why I mean to see him hanged before mo'ning.” + </p> + <p> + “He did kill my brother. He told me so himself.” Her voice carried a sob + for an instant, but she went on resolutely. “What has that to do with it? + Isn't there any law in Texas? Hasn't he been captured? And isn't he being + taken back to his punishment?” + </p> + <p> + “He told you so himself!” the man echoed. “When did he tell you? When did + you see him?” + </p> + <p> + “I was alone with him for twelve hours in the desert.” + </p> + <p> + “Alone with you?” His puzzled face showed how he was trying to take this + in, “I don't understand. How could he be alone with you?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought he was my brother and I was helping him to escape from Fort + Lincoln.” + </p> + <p> + “Helping him to escape! Helping Wolf Struve to escape! Well, I'm darned if + that don't beat my time. How come you to think him your brother?” the man + asked suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't matter how or why. I thought so. That's enough.” + </p> + <p> + “And you were alone with him—why, you must have been alone with him + all night,” cried Dunke, coming to a fresh discovery. + </p> + <p> + “I was,” she admitted very quietly. + </p> + <p> + A new suspicion edged itself into his mind. “What did you talk about? Did + he say anything about—Did he—He always was a terrible liar. + Nobody ever believed Wolf Struve.” + </p> + <p> + Without understanding the reason for it, she could see that he was uneasy, + that he was trying to discount the value of anything the convict might + have told her. Yet what could Struve the convict, No. 9,432, have to do + with the millionaire mine-owner, Thomas J. Dunke? What could there be in + common between them? Why should the latter fear what the other had to + tell? The thing was preposterous on the face of it, but the girl knew by + some woman's instinct that she was on the edge of a secret Dunke held + hidden deep in his heart from all the world. Only this much she guessed; + that Struve was a sharer of his secret, and therefore he was set on + lynching the man before he had time to tell it. + </p> + <p> + “They got away, didn't they?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “They got away—for the present,” he answered grimly. “But we're + still hunting them.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't you let the law take its course, Mr. Danke? Is it necessary to do + this terrible thing?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you worry any about it, Miss Kinney. This ain't a woman's job. I'll + attend to it.” + </p> + <p> + “But my friends,” she reminded him. + </p> + <p> + “We ain't intending to hurt them any. Come, I'll see you home. You staying + at the hotel?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know. I haven't made any arrangements yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we'll go make them now.” + </p> + <p> + But she did not move. “I'm not going in till I know how this comes out.” + </p> + <p> + He was a man used to having his own brutal way, one strong by nature, with + strength increased by the money upon which he rode rough-shod to success. + </p> + <p> + He laughed as he caught hold of the rein. “That's ridiculous!” + </p> + <p> + “But my business, I think,” the girl answered sharply, jerking the bridle + from his fingers. + </p> + <p> + Dunke stared at her. It was his night of surprises. He failed to recognize + the conventional teacher he knew in this bright-eyed, full-throated young + woman who fronted him so sure of herself. She seemed to him to swim + brilliantly in a tide of flushed beauty, in spite of the dust and the + stains of travel. She was in a shapeless khaki riding-suit and a plain, + gray, broad-brimmed Stetson. But the one could not hide the flexible + curves that made so frankly for grace, nor the other the coppery tendrils + that escaped in fascinating disorder from under its brim. + </p> + <p> + “You hadn't ought to be out here. It ain't right.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't remember asking you to act as a standard of right and wrong for + me.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed awkwardly. “We ain't quarreling, are we, Miss Margaret?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I am not. I don't quarrel with anybody but my friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I didn't aim to offend you anyway. You know me better than that.” + He let his voice fall into a caressing modulation and put a propitiatory + hand on her skirt, but under the uncompromising hardness of her gaze the + hand fell away to his side. “I'm your friend—leastways I want to + be.” + </p> + <p> + “My friends don't lynch men.” + </p> + <p> + “But after what he did to your brother.” + </p> + <p> + “The law will take care of that. If you want to please me call off your + men before it is too late.” + </p> + <p> + It was his cue to please her, for so far as it was in him the man loved + her. He had set his strong will to trample on his past, to rise to a place + where no man could shake his security with proof of his former misdeeds. + He meant to marry her and to place her out of reach of those evil days of + his. Only Struve was left of the old gang, and he knew the Wolf well + enough to be sure that the fellow would delight in blackmailing him. The + convict's mouth must be closed. But just now he must promise t she wanted, + and he did. + </p> + <p> + The promise was still on his lips when a third person strode into their + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry I had to leave you so hastily, Miss Kinney. I'm ready to take you + to the hotel now if it suits you.” + </p> + <p> + Both of them turned quickly, to see the man from the Panhandle sauntering + forth from the darkness. There was a slight smile on his face, which did + not abate when he nodded to Dunke amiably. + </p> + <p> + “You?” exclaimed the mine-owner angrily. + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes—me. Hope we didn't inconvenience you, seh, by postponing + the coyote's journey to Kingdom Come. My friend had to take a hand because + he is a ranger, and I sat in to oblige him. No hard feelings, I hope.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you—Are you all safe?” Margaret asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am. Got away slick and clean.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” barked Dunke. + </p> + <p> + “Where what, my friend?” + </p> + <p> + “Where did you take him?” + </p> + <p> + Larry laughed in slow deep enjoyment. “I hate to disappoint you, but if I + told that would be telling. No, I reckon I won't table my cards yet a + while. If you're playing in this game of Hi-Spy go to it and hunt.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you don't know that I am T. J. Dunke.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't say! And I'm General Grant. This lady hyer is Florence + Nightingale or Martha Washington, I disremember which.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Kinney laughed. “Whichever she is she's very very tired,” she said. + “I think I'll accept your offer to see me to the hotel, Mr. Neill.” + </p> + <p> + She nodded a careless good night to the mine-owner, and touched the horse + with her heel. At the porch of the rather primitive hotel she descended + stiffly from the saddle. + </p> + <p> + Before she left the Southerner—or the Westerner, for sometimes she + classified him as one, sometimes as the other—she asked him one + hesitant question. + </p> + <p> + “Were you thinking of going out again tonight?” + </p> + <p> + “I did think of taking a turn out to see if I could find Fraser. Anything + I can do for you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Please don't go. I don't want to have to worry about you. I have had + enough trouble for the present.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you worry about me?” he asked quietly, his eyes steadily on her. + </p> + <p> + “I lie awake about the most unaccountable things sometimes.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled in his slow Southern fashion. “Very well. I'll stay indoors. I + reckon Steve ain't lost, anyhow. You're too tired to have to lie awake + about me to-night. There's going to be lots of other nights for you to + think of me.” + </p> + <p> + She glanced at him with a quick curiosity. “Well, of all the conceit I + ever heard!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm the limit, ain't I?” he grinned as he took himself off. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX — DOWN THE JACKRABBIT SHAFT. + </h2> + <p> + Next morning Larry got up so late that he had to Order a special breakfast + for himself, the dining-room being closed. He found one guest there, + however, just beginning her oatmeal, and he invited himself to eat at her + table. + </p> + <p> + “Good mawnin', Miss Kinney. You don't look like you had been lying awake + worrying about me,” he began by way of opening the conversation. + </p> + <p> + Nor did she. Youth recuperates quickly, and after a night's sound sleep + she was glowing with health and sweet vitality. He could see a flush beat + into the fresh softness of her flesh, but she lifted her dark lashes + promptly to meet him, and came to the sex duel gaily. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you think I had to take a sleeping-powder to keep me from it?” + she flashed back. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, a person can dream,” he suggested. + </p> + <p> + “How did you know? But you are right. I did dream of you.” + </p> + <p> + To the waiter he gave his order before answering her. “Some oatmeal and + bacon and eggs. Yes, coffee. And some hot cakes, Charlie. Did you honest + dream about me?” This last not to the Chinese waiter who had padded + soft-footed to the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled shyly at him with sweet innocence, and he drew his chair a + trifle closer. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like to.” + </p> + <p> + “But you must. Go on.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” very reluctantly. “I dreamed I was visiting the penitentiary and + you were there in stripes. You were in for stealing a sheep, I think. Yes, + that was it, for stealing a sheep.” + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't you make it something more classy if you're bound to have me + in?” he begged, enjoying immensely the rise she was taking out of him. + </p> + <p> + “I have to tell it the way it was,” she insisted, her eyes bubbling with + fun. “And it seems you were the prison cook. First thing I knew you were + standing in front of a wall and two hundred of the prisoners were shooting + at you. They were using your biscuits as bullets.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a terrible revenge to take on me for baking them.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems you had your sheep with you—the one you stole, and you and + it were being pelted all over.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you see a lady hold-up among those shooting at me?” he inquired + anxiously. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. “And just when the biscuits were flying thickest the + wall opened and Mr. Fraser appeared. He caught you and the sheep by the + back of your necks, and flung you in. Then the wall closed, and I awoke.” + </p> + <p> + “That's about as near the facts as dreams usually get.” + </p> + <p> + He was very much pleased, for it would have been a great disappointment to + him if she had admitted dreaming about him for any reason except to make + fun of him. The thing about her that touched his imagination most was + something wild and untamed, some quality of silken strength in her slim + supple youth that scoffed at all men and knew none as master. He meant to + wrest from her if he could an interest that would set him apart in her + mind from all others, but he wanted the price of victory to cost him + something. Thus the value of it would be enhanced. + </p> + <p> + “But tell me about your escape—all about it and what became of + Lieutenant Fraser. And first of all, who the lady was that opened the door + for you,” she demanded. + </p> + <p> + “She was his sister.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! His sister.” Her voice was colorless. She observed him without + appearing to do so. “Very pretty, I thought her. Didn't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Right nice looking. Had a sort of an expression made a man want to look + at her again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + Innocently unaware that he was being pumped, he contributed more + information. “And that game.” + </p> + <p> + “She was splendid. I can see her now opening the door in the face of the + bullets.” + </p> + <p> + “Never a scream out of her either. Just as cool.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the quality men admire most, isn't it—courage?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't reckon that would come first. Course it wouldn't make a hit with + a man to have a woman puling around all the time.” + </p> + <p> + “My kind, you mean.” + </p> + <p> + Though she was smiling at him with her lips, it came to him that his words + were being warped to a wrong meaning. + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't,” he retorted bluntly. + </p> + <p> + “As I remember it, I was bawling every chance I got yesterday and the day + before,” she recalled, with fine contempt of herself. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well! You had reason a-plenty. And sometimes a woman cries just like + a man cusses. It don't mean anything. I once knew a woman wet her + handkerchief to a sop crying because her husband forgot one mo'ning to + kiss her good-by. She quit irrigating to run into a burning house after a + neighbor's kids.” + </p> + <p> + “I accept your apology for my behavior if you'll promise I won't do it + again,” she laughed. “But tell me more about Miss Fraser. Does she live + here?” + </p> + <p> + For a moment he was puzzled. “Miss Fraser! Oh! She gave up that name + several years ago. Mrs. Collins they call her. And say, you ought to see + her kiddies. You'd fall in love with them sure.” + </p> + <p> + The girl covered her mistake promptly with a little laugh. It would never + do for him to know she had been yielding to incipient jealousy. “Why can't + I know them? I want to meet her too.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened and a curly head was thrust in. “Dining-room closes for + breakfast at nine. My clock says it's ten-thirty now. Pretty near work to + keep eating that long, ain't it? And this Sunday, too! I'll have you put + in the calaboose for breaking the Sabbath.” + </p> + <p> + “We're only bending it,” grinned Neill. “Good mo'ning, Lieutenant. How is + Mrs. Collins, and the pickaninnies?” + </p> + <p> + “First rate. Waiting in the parlor to be introduced to Miss Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + “We're through,” announced Margaret, rising. + </p> + <p> + “You too, Tennessee? The proprietor will be grateful.” + </p> + <p> + The young women took to each other at once. Margaret was very fond of + children, and the little boy won her heart immediately. Both he and his + baby sister were well-trained, healthy, and lovable little folks, and they + adopted “Aunt Peggy” enthusiastically. + </p> + <p> + Presently the ranger proposed to Neill an adjournment. + </p> + <p> + “I got to take some breakfast down the Jackrabbit shaft to my prisoner. + Wanter take a stroll that way?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “If the ladies will excuse us.” + </p> + <p> + “Glad to get rid of you,” Miss Kinney assured him promptly, but with a + bright smile that neutralized the effect of her sauciness. “Mrs. Collins + and I want to have a talk.” + </p> + <p> + The way to the Jackrabbit lay up a gulch behind the town. Up one incline + was a shaft-house with a great gray dump at the foot of it. This they left + behind them, climbing the hill till they came to the summit. + </p> + <p> + The ranger pointed to another shaft-house and dump on the next hillside. + </p> + <p> + “That's the Mal Pais, from which the district is named. Dunke owns it and + most of the others round here. His workings and ours come together in + several places, but we have boarded up the tunnels at those points and + locked the doors we put in. Wonder where Brown is? I told him to meet me + here to let us down.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment they caught sight of him coming up a timbered draw. He + lowered them into the shaft, which was about six hundred feet deep. From + the foot of the shaft went a tunnel into the heart of the mountain. Steve + led the way, flashing an electric searchlight as he went. + </p> + <p> + “We aren't working this part of the mine any more,” he explained. “It + connects with the newer workings by a tunnel. We'll go back that way to + the shaft.” + </p> + <p> + “You've got quite a safe prison,” commented the other. + </p> + <p> + “It's commodious, anyhow; and I reckon it's safe. If a man was to get + loose he couldn't reach the surface without taking somebody into + partner-ship with him. There ain't but three ways to daylight; one by the + shaft we came down, another by way of our shaft-house, and the third by + Dunke's, assuming he could break through into the Mal Pais. He'd better + not break loose and go to wandering around. There are seventeen miles of + workings down here in the Jackrabbit, let alone the Mal Pais. He might + easily get lost and starve to death. Here he is at the end of this + tunnel.” + </p> + <p> + Steve flashed the light twice before he could believe his eyes. There was + no sign of Struve except the handcuffs depending from an iron chain + connected by a heavy staple with the granite wall. Apparently he had + somehow managed to slip from the gyves by working at them constantly. + </p> + <p> + The officer turned to his friend and laughed. “I reckon I'm holding the + sack this time. See. There's blood on these cuffs. He rasped his hands + some before he got them out.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you've still got him safe down here somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have or Dunke has. The trouble is both the mines are shut down + just now. He's got about forty miles of tunnel to play hide-and-go-seek + in. He's in luck if he doesn't starve to death.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do about it?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll have to get some of my men out on search-parties—just tell + them there's a man lost down here without telling them who. I reckon we + better say nothing about it to the ladies. You know how tender-hearted + they are. Nellie wouldn't sleep a wink to-night for worrying.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. We'd better get to it at once then.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser nodded. “We'll go up and rustle a few of the boys that know the + mine well. I expect before we find him Mr. Wolf Struve will be a lamb and + right anxious for the shepherd to arrive.” + </p> + <p> + All day the search proceeded without results, and all of the next day. The + evening of this second day found Struve still not accounted for. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X — IN A TUNNEL OF THE MAL PAIS + </h2> + <p> + Although Miss Kinney had assured Neill that she was glad to be rid of him + it occurred to her more than once in the course of the day that he was + taking her a little too literally. On Sunday she did not see a glimpse of + him after he left. At lunch he did not appear, nor was he in evidence at + dinner. Next morning she learned that he had been to breakfast and had + gone before she got down. She withheld judgment till lunch, being almost + certain that he would be on hand to that meal. His absence roused her + resentment and her independence. If he didn't care to see her she + certainly did not want to see him. She was not going to sit around and + wait for him to take her down into the mine he had promised she should + see. Let him forget his appointment if he liked. He would wait a long time + before she made any more engagements with him. + </p> + <p> + About this time Dunke began to flatter himself that he had made an + impression. Miss Kinney was all smiles. She was graciously pleased to take + a horseback ride over the camp with him, nor did he know that her roving + eye was constantly on the lookout for a certain spare, clean-built figure + she could recognize at a considerable distance by the easy, elastic tread. + Monday evening the mine-owner called upon her and Mrs. Collins, whose + brother also was among the missing, and she was delighted to accept his + invitation to go through the Mal Pais workings with him. + </p> + <p> + “That is, if Mrs. Collins will go, too,” she added as an afterthought. + </p> + <p> + That young woman hesitated. Though this man had led his miners against her + brother, she was ready to believe the attack not caused by personal + enmity. The best of feeling did not exist between the owners of the + Jackrabbit and those of the Mal Pais. Dunke was suspected of boldly + crossing into the territory of his neighbor where his veins did not lead. + But there had been no open rupture. For the very reason that an undertow + of feeling existed Nellie consented to join the party. She did not want by + a refusal to put into words a hostility that he had always carefully + veiled. She was in the position of not wanting to go at all, yet wanting + still less to decline to do so. + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad to go,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Fine. We'll start about nine, or nine-thirty say. I'll drive up in a + surrey.” + </p> + <p> + “And we'll have lunch for the party put up at the hotel here. I'll get + some fruit to take along,” said Margaret. + </p> + <p> + “We'll make a regular picnic of it,” added Dunke heartily. “You'll enjoy + eating out of a dinner-pail for once just like one of my miners, Miss + Kinney.” + </p> + <p> + After he had gone Margaret mentioned to Mrs. Collins her feeling + concerning him. “I don't really like him. Or rather I don't give him my + full confidence. He seems pleasant enough, too.” She laughed a little as + she added: “You know he does me the honor to admire me.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know that. I was wondering how you felt about it.” + </p> + <p> + “How ought one to feel about one of the great mining kings of the West?” + </p> + <p> + “Has that anything to do with it, my dear? I mean his being a mining + king?” asked Mrs. Collins gently. + </p> + <p> + Margaret went up to her and kissed her. “You're a romantic little thing. + That's because you probably married a heaven-sent man. We can't all be + fortunate.” + </p> + <p> + “We none of us need to marry where we don't love.” + </p> + <p> + “Goodness me! I'm not thinking of marrying Mr. Dunke's millions. The only + thing is that I don't have a Croesus to exhibit every day at my chariot + wheels. It's horrid of course, but I have a natural feminine reluctance to + surrendering him all at once. I don't object in the least to trampling on + him, but somehow I don't feel ready for his declaration of independence.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if that's all!” her friend smiled. + </p> + <p> + “That's quite all.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you prefer Texans who come from the Panhandle.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Collins happened to be looking straight at her out of her big brown + eyes. Wherefore she could not help observing the pink glow that deepened + in the soft cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “He hasn't preferred me much lately.” + </p> + <p> + Nellie knitted her brow in perplexity. “I don't understand. Steve's been + away, too, nearly all the time. Something is going on that we don't know + about.” + </p> + <p> + “Not that I care. Mr. Neill is welcome to stay away.” + </p> + <p> + Her new friend shot a swift slant look at her. “I don't suppose you + trample on him much.” + </p> + <p> + Margaret flushed. “No, I don't. It's the other way. I never saw anybody so + rude. He does not seem to have any saving sense of the proper thing.” + </p> + <p> + “He's a man, dearie, and a good one. He may be untrammeled by convention, + but he is clean and brave. He has eyes that look through cowardice and + treachery, fine strong eyes that are honest and unafraid.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me, you must have studied them a good deal to see all that in them,” + said Miss Peggy lightly, yet pleased withal. + </p> + <p> + “My dear,” reproached her friend, so seriously that Peggy repented. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't really mean it,” she laughed. “I've heard already on good + authority that you see no man's eyes except the handsome ones in the face + of Mr. Tim Collins.” + </p> + <p> + “I do think Tim has fine eyes,” blushed the accused. + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it. Since you have been admiring my young man I must praise + yours,” teased Miss Kinney. + </p> + <p> + “Am I to wish you joy? I didn't know he was your young man,” flashed back + the other. + </p> + <p> + “I understand that you have been trying to put him off on me.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll find he does not need any 'putting off' on anybody.” + </p> + <p> + “At least, he has a good friend in you. I think I'll tell him, so that + when he does condescend to become interested in a young woman he may refer + her to you for a recommendation.” + </p> + <p> + The young wife borrowed for the occasion some of Miss Peggy's audacity. + “I'm recommending him to that young woman now, my dear,” she made answer. + </p> + <p> + Dunke's party left for the mine on schedule time, Water-proof coats and + high lace-boots had been borrowed for the ladies as a protection against + the moisture they were sure to meet in the tunnels one thousand feet below + the ground. The mine-owner had had the hoisting-engine started for the + occasion, and the cage took them down as swiftly and as smoothly as a + metropolitan elevator. Nevertheless Margaret clung tightly to her friend, + for if was her first experience of the kind. She had never before dropped + nearly a quarter of a mile straight down into the heart of the earth and + she felt a smothered sensation, a sense of danger induced by her + unaccustomed surroundings. It is the unknown that awes, and when she first + stepped from the cage and peered down the long, low tunnel through which a + tramway ran she caught her breath rather quickly. She had an active + imagination, and she conjured cave-ins, explosions, and all the other mine + horrors she had read about. + </p> + <p> + Their host had spared no expense to make the occasion a gala one. Electric + lights were twinkling at intervals down the tunnel, and an electric + ore-car with a man in charge was waiting to run them into the workings + nearly a mile distant. Dunke dealt out candles and assisted his guests + into the car, which presently carried them deep into the mine. Margaret + observed that the timbered sides of the tunnel leaned inward slightly and + that the roof was heavily cross-timbered. + </p> + <p> + “It looks safe,” she thought aloud. + </p> + <p> + “It's safe enough,” returned Dunke carelessly. “The place for cave-ins is + at the head of the workings, before we get drifts timbered.” + </p> + <p> + “Are we going into any of those places?” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't take you into any place that wasn't safe, Miss Margaret.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it always so dreadfully warm down here?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “You must remember we're somewhere around a thousand feet in the heart of + the earth. Yes, it's always warm.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see how the men stand it and work.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they get used to it.” + </p> + <p> + They left the car and followed a drift which took them into a region of + perpetual darkness, into which the electric lights did not penetrate. + Margaret noticed that her host carried his candle with ease, holding it at + an angle that gave the best light and most resistance to the air, while + she on her part had much ado to keep hers from going out. Frequently she + had to stop and let the tiny flame renew its hold on the base of supplies. + So, without his knowing it, she fell behind gradually, and his + explanations of stopes, drifts, air-drills, and pay-streaks fell only upon + the already enlightened ears of Mrs. Collins. + </p> + <p> + The girl had been picking her way through some puddles of water that had + settled on the floor, and when she looked up the lights of those ahead had + disappeared. She called to them faintly and hurried on, appalled at the + thought of possibly losing them in these dreadful underground catacombs + where Stygian night forever reigned. But her very hurry delayed her, for + in her haste the gust of her motion swept out the flame. She felt her way + forward along the wall, in a darkness such as she had never conceived + before. Nor could she know that by chance she was following the wrong + wall. Had she chosen the other her hand must have come to a break in it + which showed that a passage at that point deflected from the drift toward + the left. Unconsciously she passed this, already frightened but resolutely + repressing her fear. + </p> + <p> + “I'll not let them know what an idiot I am. I'll not! I'll not!” she told + herself. + </p> + <p> + Therefore she did not call yet, thinking she must come on them at any + moment, unaware that every step was taking her farther from the gallery + into which they had turned. When at last she cried out it was too late. + The walls hemmed in her cry and flung it back tauntingly to her—the + damp walls against which she crouched in terror of the subterranean vault + in which she was buried. She was alone with the powers of darkness, with + the imprisoned spirits of the underworld that fought inarticulately + against the audacity of the puny humans who dared venture here. So her + vivid imagination conceived it, terrorizing her against both will and + reason. + </p> + <p> + How long she wandered, a prey to terror, calling helplessly in the + blackness, she did not know. It seemed to her that she must always wander + so, a perpetual prisoner condemned to this living grave. So that it was + with a distinct shock of glad surprise she heard a voice answer faintly + her calls. Calling and listening alternately, she groped her way in the + direction of the sounds, and so at last came plump against the figure of + the approaching rescuer. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it?” a hoarse voice demanded. + </p> + <p> + But before she could answer a match flared and was held close to her face. + The same light that revealed her to him told the girl who this man was + that had met her alone a million miles from human aid. The haggard, drawn + countenance with the lifted upper lip and the sunken eyes that glared into + hers belonged to the convict Nick Struve. + </p> + <p> + The match went out before either of them spoke. + </p> + <p> + “You—you here!” she exclaimed, and was oddly conscious that her + relief at meeting even him had wiped out for the present her fear of the + man. + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake, have you got anything to eat?” he breathed thickly. + </p> + <p> + It had been part of the play that each member of their little party should + carry a dinner-pail just like an ordinary miner. Wherefore she had hers + still in her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and I have a candle here. Have you another match?” + </p> + <p> + He lit the candle with a shaking hand. + </p> + <p> + “Gimme that bucket,” he ordered gruffly, and began to devour ravenously + the food he found in it, tearing at sandwiches and gulping them down like + a hungry dog. + </p> + <p> + “What day is this?” he stopped to ask after he had stayed the first pangs. + </p> + <p> + She told him Tuesday. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't eaten since Saturday,” he told her. “I figured it was a week. + There ain't any days in this place—nothin' but night. Can't tell one + from another.” + </p> + <p> + “It's terrible,” she agreed. + </p> + <p> + His appetite was wolfish. She could see that he was spent, so weak with + hunger that he had reeled against the wall as she handed him the + dinner-pail. Pallor was on the sunken face, and exhaustion in the + trembling hands and unsteady gait. + </p> + <p> + “I'm about all in, what with hunger and all I been through. I thought I + was out of my head when I heard you holler.” He snatched up the candle + from the place where he had set it and searched her face by its flame. + “How come you down here? You didn't come alone. What you doin' here?” he + demanded suspiciously. + </p> + <p> + “I came down with Mr. Dunke and a friend to look over his mine. I had + never been in one before.” + </p> + <p> + “Dunke!” A spasm of rage swept the man's face. “You're a friend of his, + are you? Where is he? If you came with him how come you to be roaming + around alone?” + </p> + <p> + “I got lost. Then my light went out.” + </p> + <p> + “So you're a friend of Dunke, that damned double-crosser! He's a + millionaire, you think, a big man in this Western country. That's what he + claims, eh?” Struve shook a fist into the air in a mad burst of passion. + “Just watch me blow him higher'n a kite. I know what he is, and I got + proof. The Judas! I keep my mug shut and do time while he gets off + scot-free and makes his pile. But you listen to me, ma'am. Your friend + ain't nothin' but an outlaw. If he got his like I got mine he'd be at Yuma + to-day. Your brother could a-told you. Dunke was at the head of the gang + that held up that train. We got nabbed, me and Jim. Burch got shot in the + Catalinas by one of the rangers, and Smith died of fever in Sonora. But + Dunke, curse him, he sneaks out and buys the officers off with our + plunder. That's what he done—let his partners get railroaded through + while he sails out slick and easy. But he made one mistake, Mr. Dunke did. + He wrote me a letter and told me to keep mum and he would fix it for me to + get out in a few months. I believed him, kept my mouth padlocked, and + served seven years without him lifting a hand for me. Then, when I make my + getaway he tries first off to shut my mouth by putting me out of business. + That's what your friend done, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Is this true?” asked the girl whitely. + </p> + <p> + “So help me God, every word of it.” + </p> + <p> + “He let my brother go to prison without trying to help him?” + </p> + <p> + “Worse than that. He sent him to prison. Jim was all right when he first + met up with Dunke. It was Dunke that got him into his wild ways and led + him into trouble. It was Dunke took him into the hold-up business. Hadn't + been for him Jim never would have gone wrong.” + </p> + <p> + She made no answer. Her mind was busy piecing out the facts of her + brother's misspent life. As a little girl she remembered her big brother + before he went away, good-natured, friendly, always ready to play with + her. She was sure he had not been bad, only fatally weak. Even this man + who had slain him was ready to testify to that. + </p> + <p> + She came back from her absorption to find Struve outlining what he meant + to do. + </p> + <p> + “We'll go back this passage along the way you came. I want to find Mr. + Dunke. I allow I've got something to tell him he will be right interested + in hearing.” + </p> + <p> + He picked up the candle and led the way along the tunnel. Margaret + followed him in silence. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI — THE SOUTHERNER TAKES A RISK + </h2> + <p> + The convict shambled forward through the tunnel till he came to a drift + which ran into it at a right angle. + </p> + <p> + “Which way now?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't know,” he screamed. “Didn't you just come along here? Do you want + me to get lost again in this hell-hole?” + </p> + <p> + The stricken fear leaped into his face. He had forgotten her danger, + forgotten everything but the craven terror that engulfed him. Looking at + him, she was struck for the first time with the thought that he might be + on the verge of madness. + </p> + <p> + His cry still rang through the tunnel when Margaret saw a gleam of distant + light. She pointed it out to Struve, who wheeled and fastened his eyes + upon it. Slowly the faint yellow candle-rays wavered toward them. A man + was approaching through the gloom, a large man whom she presently + recognized as Dunke. A quick gasp from the one beside her showed that he + too knew the man. He took a dozen running steps forward, so that in his + haste the candle flickered out. + </p> + <p> + “That you, Miss Margaret?” the mine-owner called. + </p> + <p> + Neither she nor Struve answered. The latter had stopped and was waiting + tensely his enemy's approach. When he was within a few yards of the other + Dunke raised his candle and peered into the blackness ahead of him. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter? Isn't it you, Miss Peggy?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it ain't. It's your old pal, Nick Struve. Ain't you glad to see him, + Joe?” + </p> + <p> + Dunke looked him over without a word. His thin lips set and his gaze grew + wall-eyed. The candle passed from right to left hand. + </p> + <p> + Struve laughed evilly. “No, I'm not going to pay you that way—not + yet; nor you ain't going to rid yourself of me either. Want to know why, + Mr. Millionaire Dunke, what used to be my old pal? Want to know why it + ain't going to do you any good to drop that right hand any closeter to + your hip pocket?” + </p> + <p> + Still Dunke said nothing, but the candle-glow that lit his face showed an + ugly expression. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you whip that gun out, Joe Dunke. Don't you! 'Cause why? If you do + you're a goner.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean that I kept the letter you wrote me seven years ago, and have put + it where it will do you no good if anything happens to me. That's why you + won't draw that gun, Joe Dunke. If you do it will send you to Yuma. + Millionaire you may be, but that won't keep you from wearing stripes.” + </p> + <p> + Struve's voice rang exultantly. From the look in the face of his old + comrade in crime who had prospered at his expense, as he chose to think, + he saw that for the time being he had got the whip-hand. + </p> + <p> + There was a long silence before Dunke asked hoarsely: + </p> + <p> + “What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “I want you to hide me. I want you to get me out of this country. I want + you to divvy up with me. Didn't we grub-stake you with the haul from the + Overland? Don't we go share and share alike, the two of us that's left? + Ain't that fair and square? You wouldn't want to do less than right by an + old pal, cap, you that are so respectable and proper now. You ain't forgot + the man that lay in the ditch with you the night we held up the flyer, the + man that rode beside you when you shot—” + </p> + <p> + “For God's sake don't rake up forgotten scrapes. We were all young + together then. I'll do what's right by you, but you got to keep your mouth + shut and let me manage this.” + </p> + <p> + “The way you managed it before when you let me rot at Yuma seven years,” + jeered Struve. + </p> + <p> + “I couldn't help it. They were on my trail and I had to lie low. I tell + you I'll pull you through if you do as I say.” + </p> + <p> + “And I tell you I don't believe a word you say. You double-crossed me + before and you will again if you get a chance. I'll not let you out of my + sight.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't be a fool, Nick. How can I help you if I can't move around to make + the arrangements for running you across the line?” + </p> + <p> + “And what guarantee have I got you ain't making arrangements to have me + scragged? Think I'm forgetting Saturday night?” + </p> + <p> + The girl in the blackness without the candle-shine moved slightly. + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” asked Dunke, startled. + </p> + <p> + “What's what?” + </p> + <p> + “That noise. Some one moved.” + </p> + <p> + Dunke's revolver came swiftly from his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon it must a-been the girl.” + </p> + <p> + “What girl? Miss Kinney?” + </p> + <p> + Dunke's hard eyes fastened on the other like steel augers. + </p> + <p> + Margaret came forward and took wraithlike shape. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to take me to Mrs. Collins, Mr. Dunke,” she said. + </p> + <p> + The steel probes shifted from Struve to her. + </p> + <p> + “What did you hear, Miss Kinney? This man is a storehouse of lies. I let + him run on to see how far he would go.” + </p> + <p> + Struve's harsh laugh filled the tunnel. + </p> + <p> + “Take me to Mrs. Collins,” she reiterated wearily. + </p> + <p> + “Not till I know what you heard,” answered Dunke doggedly. + </p> + <p> + “I heard everything,” she avowed boldly. “The whole wretched, miserable + truth.” + </p> + <p> + She would have pushed past him, but he caught her arm. + </p> + <p> + “Let me go!” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you it's all a mistake. I can explain it. Give me time.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't listen, I want never to see either of you again. What have I ever + done that I should be mixed up with such men?” she cried, with bitter + despair. + </p> + <p> + “Don't go off half-cocked. 'Course I'll take you to Mrs. Collins if you + like. But you got to listen to what I say.” + </p> + <p> + Another candle glimmered dimly in the tunnel and came toward them. It + presently stopped, and a voice rolled along the vault. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, there!” + </p> + <p> + Margaret would have known that voice anywhere among a thousand. Now it + came to her sweet as water after a drought. She slipped past Dunke and ran + stumbling through the darkness to its source. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Neill! Mr. Neill!” + </p> + <p> + The pitiful note in her voice, which he recognized instantly, stirred him + to the core. Astonished that she should be in the mine and in trouble, he + dashed forward, and his candle went out in the rush. Groping in the + darkness her hands encountered his. His arms closed round her, and in her + need of protection that brushed aside conventions and non-essentials, the + need that had spoken in her cry of relief, in her hurried flight to him, + she lay panting and trembling in his arms. He held her tight, as one who + would keep his own against the world. + </p> + <p> + “How did you get here—what has happened?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + Hurriedly she explained. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, take me away, take me away!” she concluded, nestling to him with no + thought now of seeking to disguise her helpless dependence upon him, of + hiding from herself the realization that he was the man into whose keeping + destiny had ordained that she was to give her heart. + </p> + <p> + “All right, honey. You're sure all safe now,” he said tenderly, and in the + blackness his lips sought and met hers in a kiss that sealed the + understanding their souls had reached. + </p> + <p> + At the sound of Neill's voice Dunke had extinguished the candle and + vanished in the darkness with Struve, the latter holding him by the arm in + a despairing grip. Neill shouted again and again, as he relighted his + candle, but there came no answer to his calls. + </p> + <p> + “We had better make for the shaft,” he said. + </p> + <p> + They set out on the long walk to the opening that led up to the light and + the pure air. For a while they walked on in silence. At last he took her + hand and guided her fingers across the seam on his wrist. + </p> + <p> + “It don't seem only four days since you did that, honey,” he murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Did I do that?” Her voice was full of self-reproach, and before he could + stop her she lifted his hand and kissed the welt. + </p> + <p> + “Don't, sweet. I deserved what I got and more. I'm ready with that apology + you didn't want then, Peggy.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't want it now, either. I won't have it. Didn't I tell you I + wouldn't? Besides,” she added, with a little leap of laughter in her + voice, “why should you ask pardon for kissing the girl you were meant to—to——” + </p> + <p> + He finished it for her. + </p> + <p> + “To marry, Peggy. I didn't know it then, but I knew it before you said + good-by with your whip.” + </p> + <p> + “And I didn't know it till next morning,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Did you know it then, when you were so mean to me?” + </p> + <p> + “That was why I was so mean to you. I had to punish myself and you because + I—liked you so well.” + </p> + <p> + She buried her face shyly in his coat to cover this confession. + </p> + <p> + It seemed easy for both of them to laugh over nothing in the exuberance of + their common happiness. His joy pealed now delightedly. + </p> + <p> + “I can't believe it—that four days ago you wasn't on the earth for + me. Seems like you always belonged; seems like I always enjoyed your sassy + ways.” + </p> + <p> + “That's just the way I feel about you. It's really scandalous that in less + than a week—just a little more than half a week—we should be + engaged. We are engaged, aren't we?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then—it sounds improper, but it isn't the least bit. It's + right. Isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “It ce'tainly is.” + </p> + <p> + “But you know I've always thought that people who got engaged so soon are + the same kind of people that correspond through matrimonial papers. I + didn't suppose it would ever happen to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Some right strange things happen while a person is alive, Peggy.” + </p> + <p> + “And I don't really know anything at all about you except that you say + your name is Larry Neill. Maybe you are married already.” + </p> + <p> + She paused, startled at the impossible thought. + </p> + <p> + “It must have happened before I can remember, then,” he laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Or engaged. Very likely you have been engaged a dozen times. Southern + people do, they say.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'm an exception.” + </p> + <p> + “And me—you don't know anything about me.” + </p> + <p> + “A fellow has to take some risk or quit living,” he told her gaily. + </p> + <p> + “When you think of my temper doesn't it make you afraid?” + </p> + <p> + “The samples I've had were surely right exhilarating,” he conceded. “I'm + expecting enough difference of opinion to keep life interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, if you won't be warned you'll just have to take me and risk + it.” + </p> + <p> + And she slipped her arm into his and held up her lips for the kiss + awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII — EXIT DUNKE + </h2> + <p> + Dunke plowed back through the tunnel in a blind whirl of passion. Rage, + chagrin, offended vanity, acute disappointment, all blended with a dull + heartache to which he was a stranger. He was a dangerous man in a + dangerous mood, and so Wolf Struve was likely to discover. But the convict + was not an observant man. His loose upper lip lifted in the ugly sneer to + which it was accustomed. + </p> + <p> + “Got onto you, didn't she?” + </p> + <p> + Dunke stuck his candle in a niche of the ragged granite wall, strode + across to his former partner in crime, and took the man by the throat. + </p> + <p> + “I'll learn you to keep that vile tongue of yours still,” he said between + set teeth, and shook the hapless man till he was black in the face. + </p> + <p> + Struve hung, sputtering and coughing, against the wall where he had been + thrown. It was long before he could do more than gasp. + </p> + <p> + “What—what did you do—that for?” His furtive ratlike face + looked venomous in its impotent anger. “I'll pay you for this—and + don't you—forget it, Joe Dunke!” + </p> + <p> + “You'd shoot me in the back the way you did Jim Kinney if you got a + chance. I know that; but you see you won't get a chance.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't looking for no such chance. I—” + </p> + <p> + “That's enough. I don't have to stand for your talk even if I do have to + take care of you. Light your candle and move along this tunnel lively.” + </p> + <p> + Something in Dunke's eye quelled the rebellion the other contemplated. He + shuffled along, whining as he went that he would never have looked for his + old pal to treat him so. They climbed ladders to the next level, passed + through an empty stope, and stopped at the end of a drift. + </p> + <p> + “I'll arrange to get you out of here to-night and have you run across the + line. I'm going to give you three hundred dollars. That's the last cent + you'll ever get out of me. If you ever come back to this country I'll see + that you're hanged as you deserve.” + </p> + <p> + With that Dunke turned on his heel and was gone. But his contempt for the + ruffian he had cowed was too fearless. He would have thought so if he + could have known of the shadow that dogged his heels through the tunnel, + if he could have seen the bare fangs that had gained Struve his name of + “Wolf,” if he could have caught the flash of the knife that trembled in + the eager hand. He did not know that, as he shot up in the cage to the + sunlight, the other was filling the tunnel with imprecations and wild + threats, that he was hugging himself with the promise of a revenge that + should be sure and final. + </p> + <p> + Dunke went about the task of making the necessary arrangements personally. + He had his surrey packed with food, and about eleven o'clock drove up to + the mine and was lowered to the ninth level. An hour later he stepped out + of the cage with a prisoner whom he kept covered with a revolver. + </p> + <p> + “It's that fellow Struve,” he explained to the astonished engineer in the + shaft-house. “I found him down below. It seems that Fraser took him down + the Jackrabbit and he broke loose and worked through to our ground.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you want any help in taking him downtown, sir? Shall I phone for the + marshal?” + </p> + <p> + His boss laughed scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “When I can't handle one man after I've got him covered I'll let you know, + Johnson.” + </p> + <p> + The two men went out into the starlit night and got into the surrey. The + play with the revolver had hitherto been for the benefit of Johnson, but + it now became very real. Dunke jammed the rim close to the other's temple. + </p> + <p> + “I want that letter I wrote you. Quick, by Heaven! No fairy-tales, but the + letter!” + </p> + <p> + “I swear, Joe—” + </p> + <p> + “The letter, you villain! I know you never let it go out of your + possession. Give it up! Quick!” + </p> + <p> + Struve's hand stole to his breast, came out slowly to the edge of his + coat, then leaped with a flash of something bright toward the other's + throat. Simultaneously the revolver rang out. A curse, the sound of a + falling body, and the frightened horses leaped forward. The wheels slipped + over the edge of the narrow mountain road, and surrey, horses, and driver + plunged a hundred feet down to the sharp, broken rocks below. + </p> + <p> + Johnson, hearing the shot, ran out and stumbled over a body lying in the + road. By the bright moonlight he could see that it was that of his + employer. The surrey was nowhere in sight, but he could easily make out + where it had slipped over the precipice. He ran back into the shaft-house + and began telephoning wildly to town. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII — STEVE OFFERS CONGRATULATIONS + </h2> + <p> + When Fraser reached the dining-room for breakfast his immediate family had + finished and departed. He had been up till four o'clock and his mother had + let him sleep as long as he would. Now, at nine, he was up again and fresh + as a daisy after a morning bath. + </p> + <p> + He found at the next table two other late breakfasters. + </p> + <p> + “Mo'ning, Miss Kinney. How are you, Tennessee?” he said amiably. + </p> + <p> + Both Larry and the young woman admitted good health, the latter so + blushingly that Steve's keen eyes suggested to him that he might not be + the only one with news to tell this morning. + </p> + <p> + “What's that I hear about Struve and Dunke?” asked Neill at once. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you've heard it. Well, it's true. I judge Dunke was arranging to get + him out of the country. Anyhow, Johnson says he took the fellow out to his + surrey from the shaft-house of the Mal Pais under his gun. A moment later + the engineer heard a shot and ran out. Dunke lay in the road dead, with a + knife through his heart. We found the surrey down in the canyon. It had + gone over the edge of the road. Both the hawsses were dead, and Struve had + disappeared. How the thing happened I reckon never will be known unless + the convict tells it. My guess would be that Dunke attacked him and the + convict was just a little bit more than ready for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you any idea where Struve is?” + </p> + <p> + “The obvious guess would be that he is heading for Mexico. But I've got + another notion. He knows that's where we will be looking for him. His + record shows that he used to trail with a bunch of outlaws up in Wyoming. + That was most twenty years ago. His old pals have disappeared long since. + But he knows that country up there. He'll figure that down here he's sure + to be caught and hanged sooner or later. Up there he'll have a chance to + hide under another name.” + </p> + <p> + Neill nodded. “That's a big country up there and the mountains are full of + pockets. If he can reach there he will be safe.” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe,” the ranger amended quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Would you follow him?” + </p> + <p> + The officer's opaque gaze met the eyes of his friend. “We don't aim to let + a prisoner make his getaway once we get our hands on him. Wyoming ain't so + blamed far to travel after him—if I learn he is there.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment all of them were silent. Each of them was thinking of the + fellow and the horrible trail of blood he had left behind him in one short + week. Margaret looked at her lover and shuddered. She had not the least + doubt that this man sitting opposite them would bring the criminal back to + his punishment, but the sinister grotesque shadow of the convict seemed to + fall between her and her happiness. + </p> + <p> + Larry caught her hand under the table and gave it a little pressure of + reassurance. He spoke in a low voice. “This hasn't a thing to do with us, + Peggy—not a thing. They were already both out of your life.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know, but—” + </p> + <p> + “There aren't any buts.” He smiled warmly, and his smile took the other + man into their confidence. “You've been having a nightmare. That's past. + See the sunshine on those hills. It's bright mo'ning, girl. A new day for + you and for me.” + </p> + <p> + Steve grinned. “This is awful sudden, Tennessee. You must a-been sawing + wood right industrious on the hawssback ride and down in the tunnel. I + expect there wasn't any sunshine down there, was there?” + </p> + <p> + “You go to grass, Steve.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Tennessee is ce'tainly no two-bit man. Lemme see. One—two—three—four + days. That's surely going some,” the ranger soliloquized. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Fraser,” the young woman reproved with a blush. + </p> + <p> + “Don't mind him, Peggy. He's merely jealous,” came back Larry. + </p> + <p> + “Course I'm jealous. Whyfor not? What license have these Panhandle guys to + come in and tote off our girls? But don't mind me. I'll pay strict + attention to my ham and eggs and not see a thing that's going on.” + </p> + <p> + “Lieutenant!” Miss Margaret was both embarrassed and shocked. + </p> + <p> + “Want me to shut my eyes, Tennessee?” + </p> + <p> + “Next time we get engaged you'll not be let in on the ground floor,” Neill + predicted. + </p> + <p> + “Four days! My, my! If that ain't rapid transit for fair!” + </p> + <p> + “You're a man of one idea, Steve. Cayn't you see that the fact's the main + thing, not the time it took to make it one?” + </p> + <p> + “And counting out Sunday and Monday, it only leaves two days.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let that interfere with your breakfast. You haven't been elected + timekeeper for this outfit, you know!” + </p> + <p> + Fraser recovered from his daze and duly offered congratulations to the one + and hopes for unalloyed joy to the other party to the engagement. + </p> + <p> + “But four days!” he added in his pleasant drawl. “That's sure some + precipitous. Just to look at him, ma'am”—this innocently to Peggy—“a + man wouldn't think he had it in him to locate, stake out, and do the + necessary assessment work on such a rich claim as the Margaret Kinney all + in four days. Mostly a fellow don't strike such high-grade ore without a + lot of—” + </p> + <p> + “That will do for you, lieutenant,” interrupted Miss Kinney, with merry, + sparkling eyes. “You needn't think we're going to let you trail this off + into a compliment now. I'm going to leave you and see what Mrs. Collins + says. She won't sit there and parrot 'Four days' for the rest of her + life.” + </p> + <p> + With which Mistress Peggy sailed from the room in mock hauteur. + </p> + <p> + When Larry came back from closing the door after her, his friend fell upon + him with vigorous hands to the amazement of Wun Hop, the waiter. + </p> + <p> + “You blamed lucky son of a gun,” he cried exuberantly between punches. + “You've ce'tainly struck pure gold, Tennessee. Looks like Old Man Good + Luck has come home to roost with you, son.” + </p> + <p> + The other, smiling, shook hands with him. “I'm of that opinion myself, + Steve,” he said. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + PART II — THE GIRL OF LOST VALLEY + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I — IN THE FIRE ZONE + </h2> + <p> + “Say, you Teddy hawss, I'm plumb fed up with sagebrush and scenery. I + kinder yearn for co'n bread and ham. I sure would give six bits for a + drink of real wet water. Yore sentiments are similar, I reckon, Teddy.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan patted the neck of his cow pony, which reached round playfully + and pretended to nip his leg. They understood each other, and were now + making the best of a very unpleasant situation. Since morning they had + been lost on the desert. The heat of midday had found them plowing over + sandy wastes. The declining sun had left them among the foothills, + wandering from one to another, in the vain hope that each summit might + show the silvery gleam of a windmill, or even that outpost of + civilization, the barb-wire fence. And now the stars looked down + indifferently, myriads of them, upon the travelers still plodding wearily + through a land magically transformed by moonlight to a silvery loveliness + that blotted out all the garish details of day. + </p> + <p> + The Texan drew rein. “We all been discovering that Wyoming is a powerful + big state. Going to feed me a cigarette, Teddy. Too bad a hawss cayn't + smoke his troubles away,” he drawled, and proceeded to roll a cigarette, + lighting it with one sweeping motion of his arm, that passed down the leg + of his chaps and ended in the upward curve at his lips. + </p> + <p> + The flame had not yet died, when faintly through the illimitable velvet + night there drifted to him a sound. + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear that, pardner?” the man demanded softly, listening intently + for a repetition of it. + </p> + <p> + It came presently, from away over to the left, and, after it, what might + have been taken for the popping of a distant bunch of firecrackers. + </p> + <p> + “Celebrating the Fourth some premature, looks like. What? Think not, + Teddy! Some one getting shot up? Sho! You are romancin', old hawss.” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless he swung the pony round and started rapidly in the direction + of the shots. From time to time there came a renewal of them, though the + intervals grew longer and the explosions were now individual ones. He took + the precaution to draw his revolver from the holster and to examine it + carefully. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing like being sure. It's a heap better than being sorry afterward,” + he explained to the cow pony. + </p> + <p> + For the first time in twelve hours, he struck a road. Following this as it + wound up to the summit of a hill, he discovered that the area of + disturbance was in the valley below. For, as he began his descent, there + was a flash from a clump of cotton-woods almost at his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Did yo' git him?” a voice demanded anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “Don't know, dad,” the answer came, young, warm, and tremulous. + </p> + <p> + “Hello! There's a kid there,” the Texan decided. Aloud, he asked quietly: + “What's the row, gentlemen?” + </p> + <p> + One of the figures whirled—it was the boyish one, crouched behind a + dead horse—and fired at him. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on, sonny! I'm a stranger. Don't make any more mistakes like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Steve Fraser they call me. I just arrived from Texas. Wait a jiff, and + I'll come down and explain.” + </p> + <p> + He stayed for no permission, but swung from the saddle, trailed the reins, + and started down the slope. He could hear a low-voiced colloquy between + the two dark figures, and one of them called roughly: + </p> + <p> + “Hands up, friend! We'll take no chances on yo'.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan's hands went up promptly, just as a bullet flattened itself + against a rock behind him. It had been fired from the bank of the dry + wash, some hundred and fifty yards away. + </p> + <p> + “That's no fair! Both sides oughtn't to plug at me,” he protested, + grinning. + </p> + <p> + The darkness which blurred detail melted as Fraser approached, and the + moonlight showed him a tall, lank, unshaven old mountaineer, standing + behind a horse, his shotgun thrown across the saddle. + </p> + <p> + “That's near enough, Mr. Fraser from Texas,” said the old man, in a slow + voice that carried the Southern intonation. “This old gun is loaded with + buckshot, and she scatters like hell. Speak yore little piece. How came + yo' here, right now?” + </p> + <p> + “I got lost in the Wind River bad lands this mo'ning, and I been playing + hide and go seek with myself ever since.” + </p> + <p> + “Where yo' haided for?” + </p> + <p> + “Gimlet Butte.” + </p> + <p> + “Huh! That's right funny, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because all yo' got to do to reach the butte is to follow this road and + yore nose for about three miles.” + </p> + <p> + A bullet flung up a spurt of sand beside the horse. + </p> + <p> + The young fellow behind the dead horse broke in, with impatient alarm: + “He's all right, dad. Can't you tell by his way of talking that he's from + the South? Make him lie down.” + </p> + <p> + Something sweet and vibrant in the voice lingered afterward in the Texan's + mind almost like a caress, but at the time he was too busy to think of + this. He dropped behind a cottonwood, and drew his revolver. + </p> + <p> + “How many of them are there?” he asked of the lad, in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “About six, I think. I'm sorry I shot at you.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the row?” + </p> + <p> + “They followed us out of Gimlet Butte. They've been drinking. Isn't that + some one climbing up the side of the ridge?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe it is. Let me have your rifle, kid.” + </p> + <p> + “What for?” The youngster took careful aim, and fired. + </p> + <p> + A scream from the sagebrush—just one, and then no more. + </p> + <p> + “Bully for you', Arlie,” the old man said. + </p> + <p> + None of them spoke for some minutes, then Fraser heard a sob—a + stifled one, but unmistakable none the less. + </p> + <p> + “Don't be afraid, kid. We'll stand 'em off,” the Texan encouraged. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't afraid, but I—I——Oh, God, I've killed a man.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan stared at him, where he lay in the heavy shadows, shaken with + his remorse. “Holy smoke! Wasn't he aiming to kill you? He likely isn't + dead, anyhow. You got real troubles to worry about, without making up + any.” + </p> + <p> + He could see the youngster shaking with the horror of it, and could hear + the staccato sobs forcing themselves through the closed teeth. Something + about it, some touch of pathos he could not account for, moved his not + very accessible heart. After all, he was a slim little kid to be engaged + in such a desperate encounter Fraser remembered his own boyhood and the + first time he had ever seen bloodshed, and, recalling it, he slipped + across in the darkness and laid an arm across the slight shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you worry, kid. It's all right. You didn't mean—” + </p> + <p> + He broke off in swift, unspeakable amazement. His eye traveled up the + slender figure from the telltale skirt. This was no boy at all, but a + girl. As he took in the mass of blue-black hair and the soft but clean-cut + modeling from ear to chin, his hand fell from her shoulder. What an idiot + he had been not to know from the first that such a voice could have come + only from a woman! He had been deceived by the darkness and by the slouch + hat she wore. He wanted to laugh in sardonic scorn of his perception. + </p> + <p> + But on the heel of that came a realization of her danger. He must get her + out of there at once, for he knew that the enemy must be circling round, + to take them on the flank too. It was not a question of whether they could + hold off the attackers. They might do that, and yet she might be killed + while they were doing it. A man used to coping with emergencies, his brain + now swiftly worked out a way of escape. + </p> + <p> + “Yore father and I will take care of these coyotes. You slip along those + shadows up the hill to where my Teddy hawss is, and burn the wind out of + here,” he told her. + </p> + <p> + “I'll not leave dad,” she said quickly. + </p> + <p> + The old mountaineer behind the horse laughed apologetically. “I been + trying to git her to go, but she won't stir. With the pinto daid, o' + course we couldn't both make it.” + </p> + <p> + “That's plumb foolishness,” the Texan commented irritably. + </p> + <p> + “Mebbe,” admitted the girl; “but I reckon I'll stay long as dad does.” + </p> + <p> + “No use being pigheaded about it.” + </p> + <p> + Her dark eyes flashed. “Is this your say-so, Mr. Whatever-your-name-is?” + she asked sharply, less because she resented what he said than because she + was strung to a wire edge. + </p> + <p> + His troubled gaze took in again her slim girlishness. The frequency of + danger had made him proof against fear for himself, but just now he was + very much afraid for her. Hard man as he was, he had the Southerner's + instinctive chivalry toward woman. + </p> + <p> + “You better go, Arlie,” her father counseled weakly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I won't,” she retorted emphatically. + </p> + <p> + The old man looked whimsically at the Texan. “Yo' see yo'self how it is, + stranger.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser saw, and the girl's stanchness stirred his admiration even while it + irritated him. He made his decision immediately. + </p> + <p> + “All right. Both of you go.” + </p> + <p> + “But we have only one horse,” the girl objected. “They would catch us.” + </p> + <p> + “Take my Teddy.” + </p> + <p> + “And leave you here?” The dark eyes were full on him again, this time in a + wide-open surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll get out once you're gone. No trouble about that.” + </p> + <p> + “How?” + </p> + <p> + “We couldn't light out, and leave yo' here,” the father interrupted. + </p> + <p> + “Of course we couldn't,” the girl added quickly. “It isn't your quarrel, + anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + “What good can you do staying here?” argued Fraser. “They want you, not + me. With you gone, I'll slip away or come to terms with them. They haven't + a thing against me.” + </p> + <p> + “That's right,” agreed the older man, rubbing his stubbly beard with his + hand. “That's sho'ly right.” + </p> + <p> + “But they might get you before they understood,” Arlie urged. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll keep under cover, and when it's time, I'll sing out and let them + know. Better leave me that rifle, though.” He went right on, taking it for + granted that she had consented to go: “Slip through those shadows up that + draw. You'll have no trouble with Teddy. Whistle when you're ready, and + your father will make a break up the hill on his hawss. So-long. See you + later some time, mebbe.” + </p> + <p> + She went reluctantly, not convinced, but overborne by the quality of + cheerful compulsion that lay in him. He was not a large man, though the + pack and symmetry of his muscles promised unusual strength. But the + close-gripped jaw, the cool serenity of the gray eyes that looked without + excitement upon whatever they saw, the perfect poise of his carriage—all + contributed to a personality plainly that of a leader of men. + </p> + <p> + It was scarce a minute later that the whistle came from the hilltop. The + mountaineer instantly swung to the saddle and set his pony to a canter up + the draw. Fraser could see him join his daughter in the dim light, for the + moon had momentarily gone behind a cloud, but almost at once the darkness + swallowed them. + </p> + <p> + Some one in the sagebrush called to a companion, and the Texan knew that + the attackers had heard the sound of the galloping horses. Without waiting + an instant, he fired twice in rapid succession. + </p> + <p> + “That'll hold them for a minute or two,” he told himself. “They won't + understand it, and they'll get together and have a powwow.” + </p> + <p> + He crouched behind the dead horse, his gaze sweeping the wash, the + sagebrush, and the distant group of cottonwoods from which he had seen a + shot fired. Though he lay absolutely still, without the least visible + excitement, he was alert and tense to the finger tips. Not the slightest + sound, not the smallest motion of the moonlit underbrush, escaped his + unwavering scrutiny. + </p> + <p> + The problem before him was to hold the attackers long enough for Arlie and + her father to make their escape, without killing any of them or getting + killed himself. He knew that, once out of the immediate vicinity, the + fugitives would leave the road and take to some of the canyons that ran + from the foothills into the mountains. If he could secure them a start of + fifteen minutes that ought to be enough. + </p> + <p> + A voice from the wash presently hailed him: + </p> + <p> + “See here! We're going to take you back with us, old man. That's a cinch. + We want you for that Squaw Creek raid, and we're going to have you. You + done enough damage. Better surrender peaceable, and we'll promise to take + you back to jail. What say?” + </p> + <p> + “Gimme five minutes to think it over,” demanded the Texan. + </p> + <p> + “All right, five minutes. But you want to remember that it's all off with + you if you don't give up. Billy Faulkner's dead, and we'll sure come + a-shooting.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser waited till his five minutes was nearly up, then plunged across the + road into the sagebrush growing thick there. A shot or two rang out, + without stopping him. Suddenly a man rose out of the sage in front of him, + a revolver in his hand. + </p> + <p> + For a fraction of a second, the two men faced each other before either + spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + Fraser's answer was to dive for the man's knees, just as a football tackle + does. They went down together, but it was the Texan got up first. A second + man was running toward him. + </p> + <p> + “Hands up, there!” the newcomer ordered. + </p> + <p> + Fraser's hand went up, but with his forty-five in it. The man pitched + forward into the sage. The Southerner twisted forward again, slid down + into the dry creek, and ran along its winding bed for a hundred yards. + Then he left it, cutting back toward the spot where he had lain behind the + dead horse. Hiding in the sage, he heard the pursuit pouring down the + creek, waited till it was past, and quickly recrossed the road. Here, + among the cow-backed hills, he knew he was as safe as a needle in a + haystack. + </p> + <p> + “I had to get that anxious guy, but it might have been a whole lot worse. + I only plugged his laig for him,” he reflected comfortably. “Wonder why + they wanted to collect the old man's scalp, anyhow? The little girl sure + was game. Just like a woman, though, the way she broke down because she + hit that fellow.” + </p> + <p> + Within five minutes he was lost again among the thousand hills that rose + like waves of the sea, one after another. It was not till nearly morning + that he again struck a road. + </p> + <p> + He was halted abruptly by a crisp command from behind a bowlder: + </p> + <p> + “Up with your hands—quick!” + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, my friend?” the Texan asked mildly. + </p> + <p> + “Deputy sheriff,” was the prompt response. “Now, reach for the sky, and + prompt, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Just as you say. You've ce'tainly got the crawl on me.” + </p> + <p> + The deputy disarmed his captive, and drove him into town before him. When + morning dawned, Fraser found himself behind the bars. He was arrested for + the murder of Faulkner. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II — A COMPACT + </h2> + <p> + After the jailer had brought his breakfast, Fraser was honored by a visit + from the sheriff, a big, rawboned Westerner, with the creases of fifty + outdoor years stamped on his brown, leathery face. + </p> + <p> + He greeted his prisoner pleasantly enough, and sat down on the bed. + </p> + <p> + “Treating you right, are they?” he asked, glancing around. “Breakfast up + to the mark?” + </p> + <p> + “I've got no kick coming, thank you,” said Fraser. + </p> + <p> + “Good!” + </p> + <p> + The sheriff relapsed into sombre silence. There was a troubled look in the + keen eyes that the Texan did not understand. Fraser waited for the officer + to develop the object of his visit, and it was set down to his credit. A + weaker man would have rushed at once into excuses and explanations. But in + the prisoner's quiet, steely eyes, in the close-shut mouth and salient + jaw, in the set of his well-knit figure, Sheriff Brandt found small room + for weakness. Whoever he was, this man was one who could hold his own in + the strenuous game of life. + </p> + <p> + “My friend,” said the sheriff abruptly, “you and I are up against it. + There is going to be trouble in town to-night.” + </p> + <p> + The level, gray eyes looked questioningly at the sheriff. + </p> + <p> + “You butted into grief a-plenty when you lined up with the cattlemen in + this sheep war. Who do you ride for?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not riding for anybody,” responded Fraser. “I just arrived from + Texas. Didn't even know there was a feud on.” + </p> + <p> + Brandt laughed incredulously. “That will sound good to a jury, if your + case ever comes to that stage. How do you expect to explain Billy + Faulkner's death?” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any proof I killed him?” + </p> + <p> + “Some. You were recognized by two men last night while you were trying to + escape. You carried a rifle that uses the same weight bullet as the one we + dug out of Billy. When you attacked Tom Peake you dropped that rifle, and + in your getaway hadn't time to pick it up again. That is evidence enough + for a Wyoming jury, in the present state of public opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by 'in the present state of public opinion'?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean that this whole country is pretty nearly solid against the Cedar + Mountain cattlemen, since they killed Campeau and Jennings in that raid on + their camp. You know what I mean as well as I do.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser did not argue the point. He remembered now having seen an account + of the Squaw Creek raid on a sheep camp, ending in a battle that had + resulted in the death of two men and the wounding of three others. He had + been sitting in a hotel at San Antonio, Texas, when he had read the story + over his after-dinner cigar. The item had not seemed even remotely + connected with himself. Now he was in prison at Gimlet Butte, charged with + murder, and unless he was very much mistaken the sheriff was hinting at a + lynching. The Squaw Creek raid had come very near to him, for he knew the + fight he had interrupted last night had grown out of it. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by trouble to-night?” he asked, in an even, + conversational tone. + </p> + <p> + The sheriff looked directly at him. “You're a man, I reckon. That calls + for the truth. Men are riding up and down this country to-day, stirring up + sentiment against your outfit. To-night the people will gather in town, + and the jail will be attacked.” + </p> + <p> + “And you?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll uphold the law as long as I can.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser nodded. He knew Brandt spoke the simple truth. What he had sworn to + do he would do to the best of his ability. But the Texan knew, too, that + the ramshackle jail would be torn to pieces and the sheriff overpowered. + </p> + <p> + From his coat pocket he drew a letter, and presented it to the other. “I + didn't expect to give this to you under these circumstances, Mr. Brandt, + but I'd like you to know that I'm on the level when I say I don't know any + of the Squaw Creek cattlemen and have never ridden for any outfit in this + State.” + </p> + <p> + Brandt tore open the letter, and glanced hurriedly through it. “Why, it's + from old Sam Slauson! We used to ride herd together when we were boys.” + And he real aloud: + </p> + <p> + “Introducing Steve Fraser, lieutenant in the Texas Rangers.” + </p> + <p> + He glanced up quickly. “You're not the Fraser that ran down Chacon and his + gang of murderers?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I was on that job.” + </p> + <p> + Brandt shook hands heartily. “They say it was a dandy piece of work. I + read that story in a magazine. You delivered the goods proper.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger was embarrassed. “Oh, it wasn't much of a job. The man that + wrote it put in the fancy touches, to make his story sell, I expect.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he did! I know all about that!” the sheriff derided. “I've got to + get you out of this hole somehow. Do you mind if I send for Hilliard, the + prosecuting attorney? He's a bright young fellow, loaded to the guards + with ideas. What I want is to get at a legal way of fixing this thing up, + you understand. I'll call him up on the phone, and have him run over.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard was shortly on the spot—a short, fat little fellow with + eyeglasses. He did not at first show any enthusiasm in the prisoner's + behalf. + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt for a moment that you are the man this letter says you are, + Mr. Fraser,” he said suavely. “But facts are stubborn things. You were + seen carrying the gun that killed Faulkner. We can't get away from that + just because you happen to have a letter of introduction to Mr. Brandt.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to get away from it,” retorted. Fraser. “I have explained + how I got into the fight. A man doesn't stand back and see two people, and + one of them a girl, slaughtered by seven or eight.” + </p> + <p> + The lawyer's fat forefinger sawed the air. “That's how you put it. Mind, I + don't for a moment say it isn't the right way. But what the public wants + is proof. Can you give evidence to show that Faulkner and his friends + attacked Dillon and his daughter? Have you even got them on hand here to + support your statement? Have you got a grain of evidence, apart from your + bare word?” + </p> + <p> + “That letter shows—” + </p> + <p> + “It shows nothing. You might have written it yourself last night. Anyhow, + a letter of introduction isn't quite an excuse for murder.” + </p> + <p> + “It wasn't murder.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what you say. I'll be glad to have you prove it.” + </p> + <p> + “They followed Dillon—if that is his name—out of town.” + </p> + <p> + “They put it that they were on their way home, when they were attacked.” + </p> + <p> + “By an old man and his daughter,” the Texan added significantly. + </p> + <p> + “There again we have only your statement for it. Half a dozen men had been + in town during the day from the Cedar Mountain district. These men were + witnesses in the suit that rose over a sheep raid. They may all have been + on the spot, to ambush Faulkner's crowd.” + </p> + <p> + Brandt broke in: “Are you personally convinced that this gentleman is + Lieutenant Fraser of the Rangers?” + </p> + <p> + “Personally, I am of opinion that he is, but—” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your horses, Dave. Believing that, do you think that we ought to + leave him here to be lynched to-night by Peake's outfit?” + </p> + <p> + “That isn't my responsibility, but speaking merely as a private citizen, I + should say, No.” + </p> + <p> + “What would you do with him then?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not take him up to your house?” + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn't be safe a minute, or in any other house in town.” + </p> + <p> + “Then get out of town with him.” + </p> + <p> + “It can't be done. I'm watched.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard shrugged. + </p> + <p> + The ranger's keen eyes went from one to another. He saw that what the + lawyer needed was some personal interest to convert him into a partisan. + From his pocket he drew another letter and some papers. + </p> + <p> + “If you doubt that I am Lieutenant Fraser you can wire my captain at + Dallas. This is a letter of congratulation to me from the Governor of + Texas for my work in the Chacon case. Here's my railroad ticket, and my + lodge receipt. You gentlemen are the officers in charge. I hold you + personally responsible for my safety—for the safety of a man whose + name, by chance, is now known all over this country.” + </p> + <p> + This was a new phase of the situation, and it went home to the lawyer's + mind at once. He had been brought into the case willy nilly, and he would + be blamed for anything that happened to this young Texan, whose deeds had + recently been exploited broadcast in the papers. He stood for an instant + in frowning thought, and as he did so a clause in the letter from the + Governor of Texas caught and held his eye. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + which I regard as the ablest, most daring, and, at the same time, + the most difficult and most successful piece of secret service that + has come to my knowledge.... +</pre> + <p> + Suddenly, Hilliard saw the way out—a way that appealed to him none + the less because it would also serve his own ambitions. + </p> + <p> + “Neither you nor I have any right to help this gentleman to escape, + sheriff. The law is plain. He is charged with murder. We haven't any right + to let our private sympathies run away with us. But there is one thing we + can do.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” the sheriff asked. + </p> + <p> + “Let him earn his freedom.” + </p> + <p> + “Earn it! How?” + </p> + <p> + “By serving the State in this very matter of the Squaw Creek raid. As + prosecuting attorney, it is in my discretion to accept the service of an + accomplice to a crime in fixing the guilt upon the principals. Before the + law, Lieutenant Fraser stands accused of complicity. We believe him not + guilty, but that does not affect the situation. Let him go up into the + Cedar Mountain country and find out the guilty parties in the Squaw Creek + raid.” + </p> + <p> + “And admit my guilt by compromising with you?” the Texan scoffed. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. You need not go publicly. In point of fact, you couldn't get + out of town alive if it were known. No, we'll arrange to let you break + jail on condition that you go up into the Lost Canyon district, and run + down the murderers of Campeau and Jennings, That gives us an excuse for + letting you go. You see the point—don't you?” + </p> + <p> + The Texan grinned. “That isn't quite the point, is it?” he drawled. “If I + should be successful, you will achieve a reputation, without any cost to + yourself. That's worth mentioning.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard showed a momentary embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + “That's incidental. Besides, it will help your reputation more than mine.” + </p> + <p> + Brandt got busy at once with the details of the escape. “We'll loosen up + the mortar round the bars in the south room. They are so rickety anyhow I + haven't kept any prisoners there for years. After you have squeezed + through you will find a horse saddled in the draw, back here. You'll want + a gun of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Always providing Lieutenant Fraser consents to the arrangement,” the + lawyer added smoothly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll consent,” laughed Fraser wryly. “I have no option. Of course, if + I win I get the reward—whatever it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'm at your service, gentlemen, to escape whenever you say the + word.” + </p> + <p> + “The best time would be right after lunch. That would give you five hours + before Nichols was in here again,” the sheriff suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose you draw a map, showing the route I'm to follow to reach Cedar + Mountain. I reckon I had better not trouble folks to ask them the way.” + And the Texan grinned. + </p> + <p> + “That's right. I'll fix you up, and tell you later just where you'll find + the horse,” Brandt answered. + </p> + <p> + “You're an officer yourself, lieutenant,” said the lawyer. “You know just + how much evidence it takes to convict. Well, that's just how much we want. + If you have to communicate with us, address 'T. L. Meredith, Box 117.' + Better send your letter in cipher. Here's a little code I worked out that + we sometimes use. Well, so-long. Good hunting, lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser nodded farewell, but did not offer to shake hands. + </p> + <p> + Brandt lingered for an instant. “Don't make any mistake, Fraser, about + this job you've bit off. It's a big one, and don't you forget it. People + are sore on me because I have fallen down on it. I can't help it. I just + can't get the evidence. If you tackle it, you'll be in danger from start + to finish. There are some bad men in this country, and the worst of them + are lying low in Lost Valley.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger smiled amiably. “Where is this Lost Valley?” + </p> + <p> + “Somewhere up in the Cedar Mountain district. I've never been there. Few + men have, for it is not easy to find; and even if it were strangers are + not invited.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'll have to invite myself.” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right. But remember this. There are men up there who would + drill holes in a dying man. I guess Lost Valley is the country God + forgot.” + </p> + <p> + “Sounds right interesting.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll find it all that, and don't forget that if they find out what you + are doing there, it will be God help Steve Fraser!” + </p> + <p> + The ranger's eyes gleamed. “I'll try to remember it.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III — INTO LOST VALLEY + </h2> + <p> + It was one-twenty when Fraser slipped the iron bar from the masonry into + which it had been fixed and began to lower himself from the window. The + back of the jail faced on the bank of a creek; and into the aspens, which + ran along it at this point in a little grove, the fugitive pushed his way. + He descended to the creek edge and crossed the mountain stream on bowlders + which filled its bed. From here he followed the trail for a hundred yards + that led up the little river. On the way he passed a boy fishing and + nodded a greeting to him. + </p> + <p> + “What time is it, mister?” the youngster asked. + </p> + <p> + A glance at his watch showed the Texan that it was one-twenty-five. + </p> + <p> + “The fish have quit biting. Blame it all, I'm going home. Say, mister, + Jimmie Spence says they're going to lynch that fellow who killed Billy + Faulkner—going to hang him to-night, Jimmie says. Do you reckon they + will?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I reckon not.” + </p> + <p> + “Tha's what I told him, but Jimmie says he heard Tom Peake say so. Jimmie + says this town will be full o' folks by night.” + </p> + <p> + Without waiting to hear any more of Jimmie's prophecies, Fraser followed + the trail till it reached a waterfall Brandt bad mentioned, then struck + sharply to the right. In a little bunch of scrub oaks he found a saddled + horse tied to a sapling. His instructions were to cross the road, which + ran parallel with the stream, and follow the gulch that led to the river. + Half an hour's travel brought him to another road. Into this he turned, + and followed it. + </p> + <p> + In a desperate hurry though he was, Steve dared not show it. He held his + piebald broncho to the ambling trot a cowpony naturally drops into. From + his coat pocket he flashed a mouthharp for use in emergency. + </p> + <p> + Presently he met three men riding into town. They nodded at him, in the + friendly, casual way of the outdoors West. The gait of the pony was a + leisurely walk, and its rider was industriously executing, “I Met My Love + In the Alamo.” + </p> + <p> + “Going the wrong way, aren't you?” one of the three suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you worry, I'll be there when y'u hang that guy they caught last + night,” he told them with a grin. + </p> + <p> + From time to time he met others. All travel seemed to be headed townward. + There was excitement in the air. In the clear atmosphere voices carried a + long way, and all the conversation that came to him was on the subjects of + the war for the range, the battle of the previous evening, and the + lynching scheduled to take place in a few hours. He realized that he had + escaped none too soon, for it was certain that as the crowd in town + multiplied, they would set a watch on the jail to prevent Brandt from + slipping out with his prisoner. + </p> + <p> + About four miles from town he cut the telephone wires, for he knew that as + soon as his escape became known to the jailer, the sheriff would be + notified, and he would telephone in every direction the escape of his + prisoner, just the same as if there had been no arrangement between them. + It was certain, too, that all the roads leading from Gimlet Butte would be + followed and patrolled immediately. For which reason he left the road + after cutting the wires, and took to the hill trail marked out for him in + the map furnished by Brandt. + </p> + <p> + By night, he was far up in the foothills. Close to a running stream, he + camped in a little, grassy park, where his pony could find forage. Brandt + had stuffed his saddlebags with food, and had tied behind a sack, with a + feed or two of oats for his horse. Fraser had ridden the range too many + years to risk lighting a fire, even though he had put thirty-five miles + between him and Gimlet Butte. The night was chill, as it always is in that + altitude, but he rolled up in his blanket, got what sleep he could, and + was off again by daybreak. + </p> + <p> + Before noon he was high in the mountain passes, from which he could + sometimes look down into the green parks where nested the little ranches + of small cattlemen. He knew now that he was beyond the danger of the first + hurried pursuit, and that it was more than likely that any of these + mountaineers would hide him rather than give him up. Nevertheless, he had + no immediate intention of putting them to the test. + </p> + <p> + The second night came down on him far up on Dutchman Creek, in the Cedar + Mountain district. He made a bed, where his horse found a meal, in a + haystack of a small ranch, the buildings of which were strung along the + creek. He was weary, and he slept deep. When he awakened next morning, it + was to hear the sound of men's voices. They drifted to him from the road + in front of the house. + </p> + <p> + Carefully he looked down from the top of his stack upon three horsemen + talking to the bare-headed ranchman whom they had called out from his + breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “No, I ain't seen a thing of him. Shot Billy Faulkner, you say? What in + time for?” the rancher was innocently asking. + </p> + <p> + “You know what for, Hank Speed,” the leader of the posse made sullen + answer. “Well, boys, we better be pushing on, I expect.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser breathed freer when they rode out of sight. He had overslept, and + had had a narrow shave; for his pony was grazing in the alfalfa field + within a hundred yards of them at that moment. No sooner had the posse + gone than Hank Speed stepped across the field without an instant's + hesitation and looked the animal over, after which he returned to the + house and came out again with a rifle in his hands. + </p> + <p> + The ranger slid down the farther side of the stack and slipped his + revolver from its holster. He watched the ranchman make a tour of the + out-buildings very carefully and cautiously, then make a circuit of the + haystack at a safe distance. Soon the rancher caught sight of the man + crouching against it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you're there, are you? Put up that gun. I ain't going to do you any + harm.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter with you putting yours up first?” asked the Texan + amiably. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you I ain't going to hurt you. Soon as I stepped out of the house + I seen your horse. All I had to do was to say so, and they would have had + you slick.” + </p> + <p> + “What did you get your gun for, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't taking any chances till folks' intentions has been declared. You + might have let drive at me before I got a show to talk to you.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. I'll trust you.” Fraser dropped his revolver, and the other + came across to him. + </p> + <p> + “Up in this country we ain't in mourning for Billy Faulkner. Old man + Dillon told me what you done for him. I reckon we can find cover for you + till things quiet down. My name is Speed.” + </p> + <p> + “Call me Fraser.” + </p> + <p> + “Glad to meet you, Mr. Fraser. I reckon we better move you back into the + timber a bit. Deputy sheriffs are some thick around here right now. If you + have to lie hid up in this country for a spell, we'll make an arrangement + to have you taken care of.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll have to lie hid. There's no doubt about that. I made my jail break + just in time to keep from being invited as chief guest to a necktie + party.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we'll put you where the whole United States Army couldn't find + you.” + </p> + <p> + They had been walking across the field and now crawled between the strands + of fence wire. + </p> + <p> + “I left my saddle on top of the stack,” the ranger explained. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take care of it. You better take cover on top of this ridge till I + get word to Dillon you're here. My wife will fix you up some breakfast, + and I'll bring it out.” + </p> + <p> + “I've ce'tainly struck the good Samaritan,” the Texan smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Sho! There ain't a man in the hills wouldn't do that much for a friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad I have so many friends I never saw.” + </p> + <p> + “Friends? The hills are full of them. You took a hand when old man Dillon + and his girl were sure up against it. Cedar Mountain stands together these + days. What you did for them was done for us all,” Speed explained simply. + </p> + <p> + Fraser waited on the ridge till his host brought breakfast of bacon, + biscuits, hard-boiled eggs, and coffee. While he ate, Speed sat down on a + bowlder beside him and talked. + </p> + <p> + “I sent my boy with a note to Dillon. It's a good thirty miles from here, + and the old man won't make it back till some time to-morrow. Course, + you're welcome at the house, but I judge it wouldn't be best for you to be + seen there. No knowing when some of Brandt's deputies might butt in with a + warrant. You can slip down again after dark and burrow in the haystack. + Eh? What think?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm in your hands, but I don't want to put you and your friends to so + much trouble. Isn't there some mountain trail off the beaten road that I + could take to Dillon's ranch, and so save him from the trip after me?” + </p> + <p> + Speed grinned. “Not in a thousand years, my friend. Dillon's ranch ain't + to be found, except by them that know every pocket of these hills like + their own back yard. I'll guarantee you couldn't find it in a month, + unless you had a map locating it.” + </p> + <p> + “Must be in that Lost Valley, which some folks say is a fairy tale,” the + ranger said carelessly, but with his eyes on the other. + </p> + <p> + The cattleman made no comment. It occurred to Fraser that his remark had + stirred some suspicion of him. At least, it suggested caution. + </p> + <p> + “If you're through with your breakfast, I'll take back the dishes,” Speed + said dryly. + </p> + <p> + The day wore to sunset. After dark had fallen the Texan slipped through + the alfalfa field again and bedded in the stack. Before the morning was + more than gray he returned to the underbrush of the ridge. His breakfast + finished, and Speed gone, he lay down on a great flat, sun-dappled rock, + and looked into the unflecked blue sky. The season was spring, and the + earth seemed fairly palpitating with young life. The low, tireless hum of + insects went on all about him. The air was vocal with the notes of nesting + birds. Away across the valley he could see a mountain slope, with snow + gulches glowing pink in the dawn. Little checkerboard squares along the + river showed irrigated patches. In the pleasant warmth he grew drowsy. His + eyes closed, opened, closed again. + </p> + <p> + He was conscious of no sound that awakened him, yet he was aware of a + presence that drew him from drowsiness to an alert attention. + Instinctively, his hand crept to his scabbarded weapon. + </p> + <p> + “Don't shoot me,” a voice implored with laughter—a warm, vivid + voice, that struck pleasantly on his memory. + </p> + <p> + The Texan turned lazily, and leaned on his elbow. She came smiling out of + the brush, light as a roe, and with much of its slim, supple grace. + Before, he had seen her veiled by night; the day disclosed her a dark, + spirited young creature. The mass of blue-black hair coiled at the nape of + the brown neck, the flash of dark eyes beneath straight, dark eyebrows, + together with a certain deliberation of movement that was not languor, + made it impossible to doubt that she was a Southerner by inheritance, if + not by birth. + </p> + <p> + “I don't reckon I will,” he greeted, smiling. “Down in Texas it ain't + counted right good manners to shoot up young ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “And in Wyoming you think it is.” + </p> + <p> + “I judge by appearances, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you judge wrong. Those men did not know I was with dad that night. + They thought I was another man. You see, they had just lost their suit for + damages against dad and some more for the loss of six hundred sheep in a + raid last year. They couldn't prove who did it.” She flamed into a sudden + passion of resentment. “I don't defend them any. They are a lot of + coyotes, or they wouldn't have attacked two men, riding alone.” + </p> + <p> + He ventured a rapier thrust. “How about the Squaw Creek raid? Don't your + friends sometimes forget to fight fair, too?” + </p> + <p> + He had stamped the fire out of her in an instant. She drooped visibly. + “Yes—yes, they do,” she faltered. “I don't defend them, either. Dad + had nothing to do with that. He doesn't shoot in the back.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad to hear it,” he retorted cheerfully. “And I'm glad to hear that + your friends the enemy didn't know it was a girl they were attacking. Fact + is, I thought you were a boy myself when first I happened in and you + fanned me with your welcome.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know. I hadn't time to think. So I let fly. But I was so excited + I likely missed you a mile.” + </p> + <p> + He took off his felt hat and examined with interest a bullet hole through + the rim. “If it was a mile, I'd hate to have you miss me a hundred yards,” + he commented, with a little ripple of laughter. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't! Did I? As near as that?” She caught her hands together in a + sudden anguish for what might have been. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you care, ma'am. A miss is as good as a mile. It ain't the first + time I've had my hat ventilated. I mentioned it, so you wouldn't get + discouraged at your shooting. It's plenty good. Good enough to suit me. I + wouldn't want it any better.” + </p> + <p> + “What about the man I wounded.” she asked apprehensively. “Is he—is + it all right?” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't you heard?” + </p> + <p> + “Heard what?” He could see the terror in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “How it all came out?” + </p> + <p> + He could not tell why he did it, any more than he could tell why he had + attempted no denial to the sheriff of responsibility for the death of + Faulkner, but as he looked at this girl he shifted the burden from her + shoulders to his. “You got your man in the ankle. I had worse luck after + you left. They buried mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” From her lips a little cry of pain forced itself. “It wasn't your + fault. It was for us you did it. Oh, why did they attack us?” + </p> + <p> + “I did what I had to do. There is no blame due either you or me for it,” + he said, with quiet conviction. + </p> + <p> + “I know. But it seems so dreadful. And then they put you in jail—and + you broke out! Wasn't that it?” + </p> + <p> + “That was the way of it, Miss Arlie. How did you know?” + </p> + <p> + “Henry Speed's note to father said you had broken jail. Dad wasn't at + home. You know, the round-up is on now and he has to be there. So I + saddled, and came right away.” + </p> + <p> + “That was right good of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Wasn't it?” There was a softened, almost tender, jeer in her voice. + “Since you only saved our lives!” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't claiming all that, Miss Arlie.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll claim it for you. I suppose you gave yourself up to them and + explained how it was after we left.” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly that. I managed to slip away, through the sage. It was + mo'ning before I found the road again. Soon as I did, a deputy tagged me, + and said, 'You're mine.' He spoke for me so prompt and seemed so sure + about what he was saying, I didn't argue the matter with him.” He laughed + gayly. + </p> + <p> + “And then?” + </p> + <p> + “Then he herded me to town, and I was invited to be the county's guest. + Not liking the accommodations, I took the first chance and flew the coop. + They missed a knife in my pocket when they searched me, and I chipped the + cement away from the window bars, let myself down by the bed linen, and + borrowed a cow-pony I found saddled at the edge of town. So, you see, I'm + a hawss thief too, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + She could not take it so lightly as he did, even though she did not know + that he had barely escaped with his life. Something about his debonair, + smiling hardihood touched her imagination, as did also the virile + competence of the man. If the cool eyes in his weatherbeaten face could be + hard as agates, they could also light up with sparkling imps of mischief. + Certainly he was no boy, but the close-cut waves of crisp, reddish hair + and the ready smile contributed to an impression of youth that came and + went. + </p> + <p> + “Willie Speed is saddling you a horse. The one you came on has been turned + loose to go back when it wants to. I'm going to take you home with me,” + she told him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm willing to be kidnapped.” + </p> + <p> + “I brought your horse Teddy. If you like, you may ride that, and I'll take + the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Yore a gentleman, ma'am. I sure would.” + </p> + <p> + When Arlie saw with what pleasure the friends met, how Teddy nickered and + rubbed his nose up and down his master's coat and how the Texan put him + through his little repertoire of tricks and fed him a lump of sugar from + his coat pocket, she was glad she had ridden Teddy instead of her own pony + to the meeting. + </p> + <p> + They took the road without loss of time. Arlie Dillon knew exactly how to + cross this difficult region. She knew the Cedar Mountain district as a + grade teacher knows her arithmetic. In daylight or in darkness, with or + without a trail, she could have traveled almost a bee line to the point + she wanted. Her life had been spent largely in the saddle—at least + that part of it which had been lived outdoors. Wherefore she was able to + lead her guest by secret trails that wound in and out among the passes and + through unsuspected gorges to hazardous descents possible only to goats + and cow ponies. No stranger finding his way in would have stood a chance + of getting out again unaided. + </p> + <p> + Among these peaks lay hidden pockets and caches by hundreds, rock fissures + which made the country a very maze to the uninitiated. The ranger, himself + one of the best trailers in Texas, doubted whether he could retrace his + steps to the Speed place. + </p> + <p> + After several hours of travel, they emerged from a gulch to a little + valley known as Beaver Dam Park. The girl pointed out to her companion a + narrow brown ribbon that wound through the park. + </p> + <p> + “There's the road again. That's the last we shall see of it—or it + will be when we have crossed it. Once we reach the Twin Buttes that are + the gateway to French Cañon you are perfectly safe. You can see the buttes + from here. No, farther to the right.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought I'd ridden some tough trails in my time, but this country + ce'tainly takes the cake,” Fraser said admiringly, as his gaze swept the + horizon. “It puts it over anything I ever met up with. Ain't that right, + Teddy hawss?” + </p> + <p> + The girl flushed with pleasure at his praise. She was mountain bred, and + she loved the country of the great peaks. + </p> + <p> + They descended the valley, crossed the road, and in an open grassy spot + just beyond, came plump upon four men who had unsaddled to eat lunch. + </p> + <p> + The meeting came too abruptly for Arlie to avoid it. One glance told her + that they were deputies from Gimlet Butte. Without the least hesitation + she rode forward and gave them the casual greeting of cattleland. Fraser, + riding beside her, nodded coolly, drew to a halt, and lit a cigarette. + </p> + <p> + “Found him yet, gentlemen?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “No, nor we ain't likely to, if he's reached this far,” one of the men + answered. + </p> + <p> + “It would be some difficult to collect him here,” the Texan admitted + impartially. + </p> + <p> + “Among his friends,” one of the deputies put in, with a snarl. + </p> + <p> + Fraser laughed easily. “Oh, well, we ain't his enemies, though he ain't + very well known in the Cedar Mountain country. What might he be like, + pardner?” + </p> + <p> + “Hasn't he lived up here long?” asked one of the men, busy with some bacon + over a fire. + </p> + <p> + “They say not.” + </p> + <p> + “He's a heavy-set fellow, with reddish hair; not so tall as you, I reckon, + and some heavier. Was wearing chaps and gauntlets when he made his + getaway. From the description, he looks something like you, I shouldn't + wonder.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser congratulated himself that he had had the foresight to discard as + many as possible of these helps to identification before he was three + miles from Gimlet Butte. Now he laughed pleasantly. + </p> + <p> + “Sure he's heavier than me, and not so tall.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a good joke, Bud, if they took you back to town for this + man,” cut in Arlie, troubled at the direction the conversation was taking, + but not obviously so. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't objecting any, sis. About three days of the joys of town would + sure agree with my run-down system,” the Texan answered joyously. + </p> + <p> + “When you cowpunchers do get in, you surely make Rome howl,” one of the + deputies agreed, with a grin. “Been in to the Butte lately?” + </p> + <p> + The Texan met his grin. “It ain't been so long.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you ain't liable to get in again for a while,” Arlie said + emphatically. “Come on, Bud, we've got to be moving.” + </p> + <p> + “Which way is Dead Cow Creek?” one of the men called after them. + </p> + <p> + Fraser pointed in the direction from which he had just come. + </p> + <p> + After they had ridden a hundred yards, the girl laughed aloud her relief + at their escape. “If they go the way you pointed for Dead Cow Creek, they + will have to go clear round the world to get to it. We're headed for the + creek now.” + </p> + <p> + “A fellow can't always guess right,” pleaded the Texan. “If he could, what + a fiend he would be at playing the wheel! Shall I go back and tell him I + misremembered for a moment where the creek is?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. You had me scared badly enough when you drew their attention to + yourself. Why did you do it?” + </p> + <p> + “It was the surest way to disarm any suspicion they might have had. One of + them had just said the man they wanted was like me. Presently, one would + have been guessing that it was me.” He looked at her drolly, and added: + “You played up to me fine, sis.” + </p> + <p> + A touch of deeper color beat into her dusky cheeks. “We'll drop the + relationship right now, if you please. I said only what you made me say,” + she told him, a little stiffly. + </p> + <p> + But presently she relaxed to the note of friendliness, even of + comradeship, habitual to her. She was a singularly frank creature, having + been brought up in a country where women were few and far, and where + conventions were of the simplest. Otherwise, she would not have confessed + to him with unconscious näiveté, as she now did, how greatly she had been + troubled for him before she received the note from Speed. + </p> + <p> + “It worried me all the time, and it troubled dad, too. I could see that. + We had hardly left you before I knew we had done wrong. Dad did it for me, + of course; but he felt mighty bad about it. Somehow, I couldn't think of + anything but you there, with all those men shooting at you. Suppose you + had waited too long before surrendering! Suppose you had been killed for + us!” She looked at him, and felt a shiver run over her in the warm + sunlight. “Night before last I was worn out. I slept some, but I kept + dreaming they were killing you. Oh, you don't know how glad I was to get + word from Speed that you were alive.” Her soft voice had the gift of + expressing feeling, and it was resonant with it now. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad you were glad,” he said quietly. + </p> + <p> + Across Dead Cow Creek they rode, following the stream up French Cañon to + what was known as the Narrows. Here the great rock walls, nearly two + thousand feet high, came so close together as to leave barely room for a + footpath beside the creek which boiled down over great bowlders. + Unexpectedly, there opened in the wall a rock fissure, and through this + Arlie guided her horse. + </p> + <p> + The Texan wondered where she could be taking him, for the fissure + terminated in a great rock slide some two hundred yards ahead of them. + Before reaching this she turned sharply to the left, and began winding in + and out among the big bowlders which had fallen from the summit far above. + </p> + <p> + Presently Fraser observed with astonishment that they were following a + path that crept up the very face of the bluff. Up—up—up they + went until they reached a rift in the wall, and into this the trail went + precipitously. Stones clattered down from the hoofs of the horses as they + clambered up like mountain goats. Once the Texan had to throw himself to + the ground to keep Teddy from falling backward. + </p> + <p> + Arlie, working her pony forward with voice and body and knees, so that + from her seat in the saddle she seemed literally to lift him up, reached + the summit and looked back. + </p> + <p> + “All right back there?” she asked quietly. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” came the cheerful answer. “Teddy isn't used to climbing up a + wall, but he'll make it or know why.” + </p> + <p> + A minute later, man and horse were beside her. + </p> + <p> + “Good for Teddy,” she said, fondling his nose. + </p> + <p> + “Look out! He doesn't like strangers to handle him.” + </p> + <p> + “We're not strangers. We're tillicums. Aren't we, Teddy?” + </p> + <p> + Teddy said “Yes” after the manner of a horse, as plain as words could say + it. + </p> + <p> + From their feet the trail dropped again to another gorge, beyond which the + ranger could make out a stretch of valley through which ran the gleam of a + silvery thread. + </p> + <p> + “We're going down now into Mantrap Gulch. The patch of green you see + beyond is Lost Valley,” she told him. + </p> + <p> + “Lost Valley,” he repeated, in amazement. “Are we going to Lost Valley?” + </p> + <p> + “You've named our destination.” + </p> + <p> + “But—you don't live in Lost Valley.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't I?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered, amused at his consternation, if it were that. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I had known,” he said, as if to himself. + </p> + <p> + “You know now. Isn't that soon enough? Are you afraid of the place, + because people make a mystery of it?” she demanded impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “No. It isn't that.” He looked across at the valley again, and asked + abruptly: “Is this the only way in?” + </p> + <p> + “No. There is another, but this is the quickest.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the other as difficult as this?” + </p> + <p> + “In a way, yes. It is very much more round-about. It isn't known much by + the public. Not many outsiders have business in the valley.” + </p> + <p> + She volunteered no explanation in detail, and the man beside her said, + with a grim laugh: + </p> + <p> + “There isn't any general admission to the public this way, is there?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Oh, folks can come if they want to.” + </p> + <p> + He looked full in her face, and said significantly: “I thought the way to + Lost Valley was a sort of a secret—one that those who know are not + expected to tell.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's just talk. Not many come in but our friends. We've had to be + careful lately. But you can't call a secret what a thousand folks know.” + </p> + <p> + It was like a blow in the face to him. Not many but their friends! And she + was taking him in confidently because he was her friend. What sort of a + friend was he? he asked himself. He could not perform the task to which he + was pledged without striking home at her. If he succeeded in ferreting out + the Squaw Creek raiders he must send to the penitentiary, perhaps to + death, her neighbors, and possibly her relatives. She had told him her + father was not implicated, but a daughter's faith in her parent was not + convincing proof of his innocence. If not her father, a brother might be + involved. And she was innocently making it easy for him to meet on a + friendly footing these hospitable, unsuspecting savages, who had shed + human blood because of the unleashed passions in them! + </p> + <p> + In that moment, while he looked away toward Lost Valley, he sickened of + the task that lay before him. What would she think of him if she knew? + </p> + <p> + Arlie, too, had been looking down the gulch toward the valley. Now her + gaze came slowly round to him and caught the expression of his face. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” she cried. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing. Nothing at all. An old heart pain that caught me suddenly.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry. We'll soon be home now. We'll travel slowly.” + </p> + <p> + Her voice was tender with sympathy; so, too, were her eyes when he met + them. + </p> + <p> + He looked away again and groaned in his heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV — THE WARNING OF MANTRAP GULCH + </h2> + <p> + They followed the trail down into the cañon. As the ponies slowly picked + their footing on the steep narrow path, he asked: + </p> + <p> + “Why do they call it Mantrap Gulch?” + </p> + <p> + “It got its name before my time in the days when outlaws hid here. A + hunted man came to Lost Cañon, a murderer wanted by the law for more + crimes than one. He was well treated by the settlers. They gave him + shelter and work. He was safe, and he knew it. But he tried to make his + peace with the law outside by breaking the law of the valley. He knew that + two men were lying hid in a pocket gulch, opening from the valley—men + who were wanted for train robbery. He wrote to the company offering to + betray these men if they would pay him the reward and see that he was not + punished for his crimes. + </p> + <p> + “It seems he was suspected. His letter was opened, and the exits from the + valley were both guarded. Knowing he was discovered, he tried to slip out + by the river way. He failed, sneaked through the settlement at night, and + slipped into the cañon here. At this end of it he found armed men on + guard. He ran back and found the entrance closed. He was in a trap. He + tried to climb one of the walls. Do you see that point where the rock juts + out?” + </p> + <p> + “About five hundred feet up? Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “He managed to climb that high. Nobody ever knows how he did it, but when + morning broke there he was, like a fly on a wall. His hunters came and saw + him. I suppose he could hear them laughing as their voices came echoing up + to him. They shot above him, below him, on either side of him. He knew + they were playing with him, and that they would finish him when they got + ready. He must have been half crazy with fear. Anyhow, he lost his hold + and fell. He was dead before they reached him. From that day this has been + called Mantrap Gulch.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger looked up at the frowning walls which shut out the sunlight. + His imagination pictured the drama—the hunted man's wild flight up + the gulch; his dreadful discovery that it was closed; his desperate + attempt to climb by moonlight the impossible cliff, and the tragedy that + overtook him. + </p> + <p> + The girl spoke again softly, almost as if she were in the presence of that + far-off Nemesis. “I suppose he deserved it. It's an awful thing to be a + traitor; to sell the people who have befriended you. We can't put + ourselves in his place and know why he did it. All we can say is that + we're glad—glad that we have never known men who do such things. Do + you think people always felt a sort of shrinking when they were near him, + or did he seem just like other men?” + </p> + <p> + Glancing at the man who rode beside her, she cried out at the stricken + look on his face. “It's your heart again. You're worn out with anxiety and + privations. I should have remembered and come slower,” she reproached + herself. + </p> + <p> + “I'm all right—now. It passes in a moment,” he said hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + But she had already slipped from the saddle and was at his bridle rein. + “No—no. You must get down. We have plenty of time. We'll rest here + till you are better.” + </p> + <p> + There was nothing for it but to obey. He dismounted, feeling himself a + humbug and a scoundrel. He sat down on a mossy rock, his back against + another, while she trailed the reins and joined him. + </p> + <p> + “You are better now, aren't you?” she asked, as she seated herself on an + adjacent bowlder. + </p> + <p> + Gruffly he answered: “I'm all right.” + </p> + <p> + She thought she understood. Men do not like to be coddled. She began to + talk cheerfully of the first thing that came into her head. He made the + necessary monosyllabic responses when her speech put it up to him, but she + saw that his mind was brooding over something else. Once she saw his gaze + go up to the point on the cliff reached by the fugitive. + </p> + <p> + But it was not until they were again in the saddle that he spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he got what was coming to him. He had no right to complain.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what my father says. I don't deny the justice of it, but whenever + I think of it, I feel sorry for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + Despite the quietness of the monosyllable, she divined an eager interest + back of his question. + </p> + <p> + “He must have suffered so. He wasn't a brave man, they say. And he was one + against many. They didn't hunt him. They just closed the trap and let him + wear himself out trying to get through. Think of that awful week of hunger + and exposure in the hills before the end!” + </p> + <p> + “It must have been pretty bad, especially if he wasn't a game man. But he + had no legitimate kick coming. He took his chance and lost. It was up to + him to pay.” + </p> + <p> + “His name was David Burke. When he was a little boy I suppose his mother + used to call him Davy. He wasn't bad then; just a little boy to be cuddled + and petted. Perhaps he was married. Perhaps he had a sweetheart waiting + for him outside, and praying for him. And they snuffed his life out as if + he had been a rattlesnake.” + </p> + <p> + “Because he was a miscreant and it was best he shouldn't live. Yes, they + did right. I would have helped do it in their place.” + </p> + <p> + “My father did,” she sighed. + </p> + <p> + They did not speak again until they had passed from between the chill + walls to the warm sunshine of the valley beyond. Among the rocks above the + trail, she glimpsed some early anemones blossoming bravely. + </p> + <p> + She drew up with a little cry of pleasure. “They're the first I have seen. + I must have them.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser swung from the saddle, but he was not quick enough. She reached + them before he did, and after they had gathered them she insisted upon + sitting down again. + </p> + <p> + He had his suspicions, and voiced them. “I believe you got me off just to + make me sit down.” + </p> + <p> + She laughed with deep delight. “I didn't, but since we are here we shall.” + And she ended debate by sitting down tailor-fashion, and beginning to + arrange her little bouquet. + </p> + <p> + A meadow lark, troubadour of spring, trilled joyously somewhere in the + pines above. The man looked up, then down at the vivid creature busy with + her flowers at his feet. There was kinship between the two. She, too, was + athrob with the joy note of spring. + </p> + <p> + “You're to sit down,” she ordered, without looking up from the sheaf of + anemone blossoms she was arranging. + </p> + <p> + He sank down beside her, aware vaguely of something new and poignant in + his life. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V — JED BRISCOE TAKES A HAND + </h2> + <h3> + Suddenly a footfall, and a voice: + </h3> + <p> + “Hello, Arlie! I been looking for you everywhere.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan's gaze took in a slim dark man, goodlooking after a fashion, but + with dissipation written on the rather sullen face. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you've found me,” the girl answered coolly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I've found you,” the man answered, with a steady, watchful eye on + the Texan. + </p> + <p> + Miss Dillon was embarrassed at this plain hostility, but indignation too + sparkled in her eye. “Anything in particular you want?” + </p> + <p> + The newcomer ignored her question. His hard gaze challenged the + Southerner; did more than challenge—weighed and condemned. + </p> + <p> + But this young woman was not used to being ignored. Her voice took on an + edge of sharpness. + </p> + <p> + “What can I do for you, Jed?” + </p> + <p> + “Who's your friend?” the man demanded bluntly, insolently. + </p> + <p> + Arlie's flush showed the swift, upblazing resentment she immediately + controlled. “Mr. Fraser—just arrived from Texas. Mr. Fraser, let me + introduce to you Mr. Briscoe.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan stepped forward to offer his hand, but Briscoe deliberately put + both of his behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Might I ask what Mr. Fraser, just arrived from Texas, is doing here?” the + young man drawled, contriving to make an insult of every syllable. + </p> + <p> + The girl's eyes flashed dangerously. “He is here as my guest.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, as your guest!” + </p> + <p> + “Doesn't it please you, Jed?” + </p> + <p> + “Have I said it didn't please me?” he retorted smoothly. + </p> + <p> + “Your looks say it.” + </p> + <p> + He let out a sudden furious oath. “Then my looks don't lie any.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser was stepping forward, but with a gesture Arlie held him back. This + was her battle, not his. + </p> + <p> + “What have you got to say about it?” she demanded. + </p> + <p> + “You had no right to bring him here. Who is he anyhow?” + </p> + <p> + “I think that is his business, and mine.” + </p> + <p> + “I make it mine,” he declared hotly. “I've heard about this fellow from + your father. You met up with him on the trail. He says his name is Fraser. + You don't even know whether that is true. He may be a spy. How do you know + he ain't?” + </p> + <p> + “How do I know you aren't?” she countered swiftly. + </p> + <p> + “You've known me all my life. Did you ever see him before?” + </p> + <p> + “Never.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then!” + </p> + <p> + “He risked his life to save ours.” + </p> + <p> + “Risked nothing! It was a trick, I tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “It makes no difference to me what you tell me. Your opinion can't affect + mine.” + </p> + <p> + “You know the feeling of the valley just now about strangers,” said + Briscoe sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “It depends on who the stranger is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I object to this one.” + </p> + <p> + “So it seems; but I don't know any law that makes me do whatever you want + me to.” Her voice, low and clear, cut like a whiplash. + </p> + <p> + Beneath the dust of travel the young man's face burned with anger. “We're + not discussing that just now. What I say is that you had no right to bring + him here—not now, especially. You know why,” he added, almost in a + whisper. + </p> + <p> + “If you had waited and not attempted to brow-beat me, I would have shown + you that that is the very reason I had to bring him.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind what I mean. You have insulted my friend, and through him, me. + That is enough for one day.” She turned from him haughtily and spoke to + the Texan. “If you are ready, Mr. Fraser, we'll be going now.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger, whose fingers had been itching to get at the throat of this + insolent young man, turned without a word and obediently brought the + girl's pony, then helped her to mount. Briscoe glared, in a silent tempest + of passion. + </p> + <p> + “I think I have left a glove and my anemones where we were sitting,” the + girl said sweetly to the Texan. + </p> + <p> + Fraser found them, tightened the saddle girth, and mounted Teddy. As they + cantered away, Arlie called to him to look at the sunset behind the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + From the moment of her dismissal of Briscoe the girl had apparently put + him out of her thoughts. No fine lady of the courts could have done it + with more disdainful ease. And the Texan, following her lead, played his + part in the little comedy, ignoring the other man as completely as she + did. + </p> + <p> + The young cattleman, furious, his teeth set in impotent rage, watched it + all with the lust to kill in his heart. When they had gone, he flung + himself into the saddle and rode away in a tumultuous fury. + </p> + <p> + Before they had covered two hundred yards Arlie turned to her companion, + all contrition. “There! I've done it again. My fits of passion are always + getting me into trouble. This time one of them has given you an enemy, and + a bad one, too.” + </p> + <p> + “No. He would have been my enemy no matter what you said. Soon as he put + his eyes on me, I knew it.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I brought you here, you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean only that. Some folks are born to be enemies, just as some + are born to be friends. They've only got to look in each other's eyes once + to know it.” + </p> + <p> + “That's strange. I never heard anybody else say that. Do you really mean + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “And did you ever have such an enemy before? Don't answer me if I oughtn't + to ask that,” she added quickly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “In Texas. Why, here we are at a ranch!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. It's ours, and yours as long as you want to stay. Did you feel that + you were enemies the moment you saw this man in Texas?” + </p> + <p> + “I knew we were going to have trouble as soon as we looked at each other. + I had no feeling toward him, but he had toward me.” + </p> + <p> + “And did you have trouble?” + </p> + <p> + “Some, before I landed him. The way it turned out he had most of it.” + </p> + <p> + She glanced quickly at him. “What do you mean by 'landed'?” + </p> + <p> + “I am an officer in the Texas Rangers.” + </p> + <p> + “What are they? Something like our forest rangers?” + </p> + <p> + “No. The duty of a Texas Ranger is to enforce the law against desperadoes. + We prevent crime if we can. When we can't do that, we hunt down the + criminals.” + </p> + <p> + Arlie looked at him in a startled silence. + </p> + <p> + “You are an officer of the law—a sort of sheriff?” she said, at + last. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, in Texas. This is Wyoming.” He made his distinction, knowing it was + a false one. Somehow he had the feeling of a whipped cur. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I had known. If you had only told me earlier,” she said, so low as + to be almost a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry. If you like, I'll go away again,” he offered. + </p> + <p> + “No, no. I'm only thinking that it gives Jed a hold, gives him something + to stir up his friends with, you know. That is, it would if he knew. He + mustn't find out.” + </p> + <p> + “Be frank. Don't make any secret of it. That's the best way,” he advised. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. “You don't know Jed's crowd. They'd be suspicious of + any officer, no matter where he came from.” + </p> + <p> + “Far as I can make out, that young man is going to be loaded with + suspicions of me anyhow,” he laughed. + </p> + <p> + “It isn't anything to laugh at. You don't know him,” she told him gravely. + </p> + <p> + “And can't say I'm suffering to,” he drawled. + </p> + <p> + She looked at him a little impatiently, as if he were a child playing with + gunpowder and unaware of its potentialities. + </p> + <p> + “Can't you understand? You're not in Texas with your friends all around + you. This is Lost Valley—and Lost Valley isn't on the map. Men make + their own law here. That is, some of them do. I wouldn't give a snap of my + fingers for your life if the impression spread that you are a spy. It + doesn't matter that I know you're not. Others must feel it, too.” + </p> + <p> + “I see. And Mr. Briscoe will be a molder of public opinion?” + </p> + <p> + “So far as he can he will. We must forestall him.” + </p> + <p> + “Beat him to it, and give me a clean bill of moral health, eh?” + </p> + <p> + She frowned. “This is serious business, my friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm taking it that way,” he said smilingly. + </p> + <p> + “I shouldn't have guessed it.” + </p> + <p> + Yet for all his debonair ease the man had an air of quiet competence. His + strong, bronzed face and neck, the set of his shoulders, the light poise + of him in the saddle, the steady confidence of the gray eyes, all told her + as much. She was aware of a curiosity about what was hidden behind that + stone-wall face of his. + </p> + <p> + “You didn't finish telling me about that enemy in Texas,” she suggested + suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there ain't much to tell. He broke out from the pen, where I had put + him when I was a kid. He was a desperado wanted by the authorities, so I + arrested him again.” + </p> + <p> + “Sounds easy.” + </p> + <p> + “He made some trouble, shot up two or three men first.” Fraser lifted his + hand absently. + </p> + <p> + “Is that scar on your hand where he shot you?” Arlie asked. + </p> + <p> + He looked up in quick surprise. “Now, how did you know that?” + </p> + <p> + “You were talking of the trouble he made and you looked at your hand,” she + explained. “Where is he now? In the penitentiary?” + </p> + <p> + “No. He broke away before I got him there.” + </p> + <p> + She had another flash of inspiration. “And you came to Wyoming to get him + again.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious, ma'am, but you're ce'tainly a wizard! That's why I came, + though it's a secret.” + </p> + <p> + “What is he wanted for?” + </p> + <p> + “Robbing a train, three murders and a few other things.” + </p> + <p> + As she swung from her pony in front of the old-fashioned Southern log + house, Artie laughed at him over her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “You're a fine officer! Tell all you know to the first girl you meet!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, the girl happened to be—you!” + </p> + <p> + After the manner of the old-fashioned Southern house a wide “gallery” + bisected it from porch to rear. Saddles hung from pegs in the gallery. + Horse blankets and bridles, spurs and saddlebags, lay here and there in + disarray. A disjointed rifle which some one had started to clean was on + the porch. Swiftly Arlie stripped saddle, bridle, and blanket from her + pony and flung them down as a contribution to the general disorder, and at + her suggestion Fraser did the same. A half-grown lad came running to herd + the horses into a corral close at hand. + </p> + <p> + “I want you when you've finished feeding, Bobbie,” Arlie told the lad. + Then briefly to her guest: “This way, please.” + </p> + <p> + She led him into a large, cheerful living room, into which, through big + casement windows, the light streamed. It was a pleasant room, despite its + barbaric touch. There was a grizzly bear skin before the great open, stone + fireplace, and Navajo rugs covered the floor and hung on the walls. The + skin of a silver-tip bear was stretched beneath a writing desk, a trophy + of Arlie's rifle, which hung in a rack above. Civilization had furnished + its quota to the room in a piano, some books, and a few photographs. + </p> + <p> + The Texan observed that order reigned here, even though it did not + interfere with the large effect of comfort. + </p> + <p> + The girl left him, to return presently with her aunt, to whom she + introduced him. Miss Ruth Dillon was a little, bright-eyed old lady, whose + hair was still black, and her step light. Evidently she had her + instructions, for she greeted their guest with charming cordiality, and + thanked him for the service he had rendered her brother and her niece. + </p> + <p> + Presently the boy Bobbie arrived for further orders. Arlie went to her + desk and wrote hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + “You're to give this note to my father,” she directed. “Be sure he gets it + himself. You ought to find him down in Jackson's Pocket, if the drive is + from Round Top to-day. But you can ask about that along the road.” + </p> + <p> + When the boy had gone, Arlie turned to Fraser. + </p> + <p> + “I want to tell father you're here before Jed gets to him with his story,” + she explained. “I've asked him to ride down right away. He'll probably + come in a few hours and spend the night here.” + </p> + <p> + After they had eaten supper they returned to the living room, where a + great fire, built by Jim the negro horse wrangler, was roaring up the + chimney. + </p> + <p> + It was almost eleven o'clock when horses galloped up and Dillon came into + the house, followed by Jed Briscoe. The latter looked triumphant, the + former embarrassed as he disgorged letters and newspapers from his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “I stopped at the office to get the mail as I came down. Here's yore + paper, Ruth.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dillon pounced eagerly upon the Gimlet Butte Avalanche, and + disappeared with it to her bedroom. She had formerly lived in Gimlet + Butte, and was still keenly interested in the gossip of the town. + </p> + <p> + Briscoe had scored one against Arlie by meeting her father, telling his + side of the story, and returning with him to the house. Nevertheless + Arlie, after giving him the slightest nod her duty as hostess would + permit, made her frontal attack without hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “You'll be glad to know, dad, that Mr. Fraser is our guest. He has had + rather a stormy time since we saw him last, and he has consented to stay + with us a few days till things blow over.” + </p> + <p> + Dillon, very ill at ease, shook hands with the Texan, and was understood + to say that he was glad to see him. + </p> + <p> + “Then you don't look it, dad,” Arlie told him, with a gleam of vexed + laughter. + </p> + <p> + Her father turned reproachfully upon her. “Now, honey, yo' done wrong to + say that. Yo' know Mr. Fraser is welcome to stay in my house long as he + wants. I'm proud to have him stay. Do you think I forgot already what he + done for us?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not. Then it's all settled,” Arlie cut in, and rushed on to + another subject. “How's the round-up coming, dad?” + </p> + <p> + “We'll talk about the round-up later. What I'm saying is that Mr. Fraser + has only got to say the word, and I'm there to he'p him till the cows come + home.” + </p> + <p> + “That's just what I told him, dad.” + </p> + <p> + “Hold yore hawsses, will yo', honey? But, notwithstanding which, and not + backing water on that proposition none, we come to another p'int.” + </p> + <p> + “Which Jed made to you carefully on the way down,” his daughter + interrupted scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “It don't matter who made it. The p'int is that there are reasons why + strangers ain't exactly welcome in this valley right now, Mr. Fraser. This + country is full o' suspicion. Whilst it's onjust, charges are being made + against us on the outside. Right now the settlers here have got to guard + against furriners. Now I know yo're all right, Mr. Fraser. But my + neighbors don't know it.” + </p> + <p> + “It was our lives he saved, not our neighbors',” scoffed Arlie. + </p> + <p> + “K'rect. So I say, Mr. Fraser, if yo' are out o' funds, I'll finance you. + Wherever you want to go I'll see you git there, but I hain't got the right + to invite you to stay in Lost Valley.” + </p> + <p> + “Better send him to Gimlet Butte, dad! He killed a man in helping us to + escape, and he 's wanted bad! He broke jail to get here! Pay his expenses + back to the Butte! Then if there's a reward, you and Jed can divide it!” + his daughter jeered. + </p> + <p> + “What's that? Killed a man, yo' say?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. To save us. Shall we send him back under a rifle guard? Or shall we + have Sheriff Brandt come and get him?” + </p> + <p> + “Gracious goodness, gyurl, shet up whilst I think. Killed a man, eh? This + valley has always been open to fugitives. Ain't that right, Jed?” + </p> + <p> + “To fugitives, yes,” said Jed significantly. “But that fact ain't proved.” + </p> + <p> + “Jed's getting right important. We'll soon be asking him whether we can + stay here,” said Arlie, with a scornful laugh. “And I say it is proved. We + met the deputies the yon side of the big cañon.” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe looked at her out of dogged, half-shuttered eyes. He said nothing, + but he looked the picture of malice. + </p> + <p> + Dillon rasped his stubbly chin and looked at the Texan. Far from an + alert-minded man, he came to conclusions slowly. Now he arrived at one. + </p> + <p> + “Dad burn it, we'll take the 'fugitive' for granted. Yo' kin lie up here + long as yo' like, friend. I'll guarantee yo' to my neighbors. I reckon if + they don't like it they kin lump it. I ain't a-going to give up the man + that saved my gyurl's life.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened and let in Miss Ruth Dillon. The little old lady had the + newspaper in her hand, and her beady eyes were shining with excitement. + </p> + <p> + “It's all in here, Mr. Fraser—about your capture and escape. But you + didn't tell us all of it. Perhaps you didn't know, though, that they had + plans to storm the jail and hang you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I knew that,” the Texan answered coolly. “The jailer told me what + was coming to me. I decided not to wait and see whether he was lying. I + wrenched a bar from the window, lowered myself by my bedding, flew the + coop, and borrowed a horse. That's the whole story, ma'am, except that + Miss Arlie brought me here to hide me.” + </p> + <p> + “Read aloud what the paper says,” Dillon ordered. + </p> + <p> + His sister handed the Avalanche to her niece. Arlie found the article and + began to read: + </p> + <p> + “A dastardly outrage occurred three miles from Gimlet Butte last night. + While on their way home from the trial of the well-known Three Pines sheep + raid case, a small party of citizens were attacked by miscreants presumed + to be from the Cedar Mountain country. How many of these there were we + have no means of knowing, as the culprits disappeared in the mountains + after murdering William Faulkner, a well-known sheep man, and wounding Tom + Long.” + </p> + <p> + There followed a lurid account of the battle, written from the point of + view of the other side. After which the editor paid his respects to + Fraser, though not by name. + </p> + <p> + “One of the ruffians, for some unknown reason—perhaps in the hope of + getting a chance to slay another victim—remained too long near the + scene of the atrocity and was apprehended early this morning by that + fearless deputy, James Schilling. He refused to give his name or any other + information about himself. While the man is a stranger to Gimlet Butte, + there can be no doubt that he is one of the Lost Valley desperadoes + implicated in the Squaw Creek raid some months ago. Since the bullet that + killed Faulkner was probably fired from the rifle carried by this man, it + is safe to assume that the actual murderer was apprehended. The man is + above medium height, well built and muscular, and carries all the earmarks + of a desperate character.” + </p> + <p> + Arlie glanced up from her reading to smile at Fraser. “Dad and I are + miscreants, and you are a ruffian and a desperate character,” she told him + gayly. + </p> + <p> + “Go on, honey,” her father urged. + </p> + <p> + The account told how the prisoner had been confined in the jail, and how + the citizens, wrought up by the continued lawlessness of the Lost Valley + district, had quietly gathered to make an example of the captured man. + While condemning lynching in general, the Avalanche wanted to go on record + as saying that if ever it was justifiable this was the occasion. + Unfortunately, the prisoner, giving thus further evidence of his desperate + nature, had cut his way out of prison with a pocketknife and escaped from + town by means of a horse he found saddled and did not hesitate to steal. + At the time of going to press he had not yet been recaptured, though + Sheriff Brandt had several posses on his trail. The outlaw had cut the + telephone wires, but it was confidently believed he would be captured + before he reached his friends in the mountains. + </p> + <p> + Arlie's eyes were shining. She looked at Briscoe and handed him the paper + triumphantly. This was her vindication for bringing the hunted man to Lost + Valley. He had been fighting their battles and had almost lost his life in + doing it. Jed might say what he liked while she had this to refute him. + </p> + <p> + “I guess that editor doesn't believe so confidently as he pretends,” she + said. “Anyhow, he has guessed wrong. Mr. Fraser has reached his friends, + and they'll look out for him.” + </p> + <p> + Her father came to her support radiantly. “You bet yore boots they will, + honey. Shake hands on it, Mr. Fraser. I reckon yore satisfied too, Jed. + Eh, boy?” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe viewed the scene with cynical malice. “Quite a hero, ain't he? If + you want to know, I stand pat. Mr. Fraser from Texas don't draw the wool + over my eyes none. Right now I serve notice to that effect. Meantime, + since I don't aim to join the happy circle of his admirers, I reckon I'll + duck.” + </p> + <p> + He nodded impudently at Arlie, turned on his heel, and went trailing off + with jingling spur. They heard him cursing at his horse as he mounted. The + cruel swish of a quirt came to them, after which the swift pounding of a + horse's hoofs. The cow pony had found its gallop in a stride. + </p> + <p> + The Texan laughed lightly. “Exit Mr. Briscoe, some disappointed,” he + murmured. + </p> + <p> + He noticed that none of the others shared his mirth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI — A SURE ENOUGH WOLF + </h2> + <p> + Briscoe did not return at once to the scene of the round-up. He followed + the trail toward Jackson's Pocket, but diverged after he had gone a few + miles and turned into one of the hundred blind gulches that ran out from + the valley to the impassable mountain wall behind. It was known as Jack + Rabbit Run, because its labyrinthine trails offered a retreat into which + hunted men might always dive for safety. Nobody knew its recesses better + than Jed Briscoe, who was acknowledged to be the leader of that faction in + the valley which had brought it the bad name it held. + </p> + <p> + Long before Jed's time there had been such a faction, then the dominant + one of the place, now steadily losing ground as civilization seeped in, + but still strong because bound by ties of kindred and of interest to the + honest law-abiding majority. Of it were the outlaws who came periodically + to find shelter here, the hasty men who had struck in heat and found it + necessary to get beyond the law's reach for a time, and reckless + cowpunchers, who foregathered with these, because they were birds of a + feather. To all such, Jack Rabbit Run was a haven of rest. + </p> + <p> + By devious paths the cattleman guided his horse until he came to a kind of + pouch, guarded by a thick growth of aspens. The front of these he skirted, + plunged into them at the farther edge, and followed a narrow trail which + wound among them till the grove opened upon a saucer-shaped valley in + which nestled a little log cabin. Lights gleamed from the windows + hospitably and suggested the comfortable warmth of a log fire and + good-fellowship. So many a hunted man had thought as he emerged from that + grove to look down upon the valley nestling at his feet. + </p> + <p> + Jed turned his horse into a corral back of the house, let out the hoot of + an owl as he fed and watered, and returning to the cabin, gave the four + knocks that were the signal for admission. + </p> + <p> + Bolts were promptly withdrawn and the door thrown open by a slender, + fair-haired fellow, whose features looked as if they had been roughed out + and not finished. He grinned amiably at the newcomer and greeted him with: + “Hello, Jed.” + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Tommie,” returned Briscoe, carelessly, and let his glance pass to + the three men seated at the table with cards and poker chips in front of + them, The man facing Briscoe was a big, heavy-set, unmistakable ruffian + with long, drooping, red mustache, and villainous, fishy eyes. It was + observable that the trigger finger of his right hand was missing. Also, + there was a nasty scar on his right cheek running from the bridge of the + nose halfway to the ear. This gave surplusage to the sinister appearance + he already had. To him Briscoe spoke first, attempting a geniality he did + not feel. + </p> + <p> + “How're they coming, Texas?” + </p> + <p> + “You ain't heard me kicking any, have you?” the man made sullen answer. + </p> + <p> + “Not out loud,” said Briscoe significantly, his eyes narrowing after a + trick they had when he was most on his guard. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon my remarks will be plumb audible when I've got any kick to + register, seh.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope not, Mr. Johnson. In this neck of woods a man is liable to get + himself disliked if he shoots off his mouth too prevalent. Folks that + don't like our ways can usually find a door open out of Lost Valley—if + they don't wait too long!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm some haidstrong. I reckon I'll stay.” He scowled at Jed with + disfavor, meeting him eye to eye. But presently the rigor of his gaze + relaxed. Me remembered that he was a fugitive from justice, and at the + mercy of this man who had so far guessed his secret. Putting a temporary + curb on his bilious jealousy, he sulkily added: “Leastways, if there's no + objection, Mr. Briscoe. I ain't looking for trouble with anybody.” + </p> + <p> + “A man who's looking for it usually finds it, Mr. Johnson. A man that + ain't, lives longer and more peaceable.” At this point Jed pulled himself + together and bottled his arrogance, remembering that he had come to make + an alliance with this man. “But that's no way for friends to talk. I got a + piece of news for you. We'll talk it over in the other room and not + disturb these gentlemen.” + </p> + <p> + One of the “gentlemen” grinned. He was a round-bodied, bullet-headed + cowpuncher, with a face like burnt leather. He was in chaps, flannel + shirt, and broad-brimmed hat. From a pocket in his chaps a revolver + protruded. “That's right, Jed. Wrap it up proper. You'd hate to disturb + us, wouldn't you?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll not interrupt you from losing your money more than five minutes, + Yorky,” answered Briscoe promptly. + </p> + <p> + The third man at the table laughed suddenly. “Ay bane laik to know how yuh + feel now, Yorky?” he taunted. + </p> + <p> + “It ain't you that's taking my spondulix in, you big, overgrown Swede!” + returned Yorky amiably. “It's the gent from Texas. How can a fellow buck + against luck that fills from a pair to a full house on the draw?” + </p> + <p> + The blond giant, Siegfried—who was not a Swede, but a Norwegian—announced + that he was seventeen dollars in the game himself. + </p> + <p> + Tommie, already broke, and an onlooker, reported sadly. + </p> + <p> + “Sixty-one for me, durn it!” + </p> + <p> + Jed picked up a lamp, led the way to the other room, and closed the door + behind them. + </p> + <p> + “I thought it might interest you to know that there's a new arrival in the + valley, Mr. Struve,” he said smoothly. + </p> + <p> + “Who says my name's Struve?” demanded the man who called himself Johnson, + with fierce suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Briscoe laughed softly. “I say it—Wolf Struve. Up till last month + your address for two years has been number nine thousand four hundred and + thirty-two, care of Penitentiary Warden, Yuma, Arizona.” + </p> + <p> + “Prove it. Prove it,” blustered the accused man. + </p> + <p> + “Sure.” From his inside coat pocket Jed took out a printed notice offering + a reward for the capture of Nick Struve, alias “Wolf” Struve, convict, who + had broken prison on the night of February seventh, and escaped, after + murdering one of the guards. A description and a photograph of the man + wanted was appended. + </p> + <p> + “Looks some like you. Don't it, Mr.—shall I say Johnson or Struve?” + </p> + <p> + “Say Johnson!” roared the Texan. “That ain't me. I'm no jailbird.” + </p> + <p> + “Glad to know it.” Briscoe laughed in suave triumph. “I thought you might + be. This description sounds some familiar. I'll not read it all. But + listen: 'Scar on right cheek, running from bridge of nose toward ear. + Trigger finger missing; shot away when last arrested. Weight, about one + hundred and ninety.' By the way, just out of curiosity, how heavy are you, + Mr. Johnson? 'Height, five feet nine inches. Protuberant, fishy eyes. + Long, drooping, reddish mustache.' I'd shave that mustache if I were you, + Mr.—er—Johnson. Some one might mistake you for Nick Struve.” + </p> + <p> + The man who called himself Johnson recognized denial as futile. He flung + up the sponge with a blasphemous oath. “What do you want? What's your + game? Do you want to sell me for the reward? By thunder, you'd better + not!” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe gave way to one of the swift bursts of passion to which he was + subject. “Don't threaten me, you prison scum! Don't come here and try to + dictate what I'm to do, and what I'm not to do. I'll sell you if I want + to. I'll send you back to be hanged like a dog. Say the word, and I'll + have you dragged out of here inside of forty-eight hours.” + </p> + <p> + Struve reached for his gun, but the other, wary as a panther, had him + covered while the convict's revolver was still in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Reach for the roof! Quick—or I'll drill a hole in you! That's the + idea. I reckon I'll collect your hardware while I'm at it. That's a heap + better.” + </p> + <p> + Struve glared at him, speechless. + </p> + <p> + “You're too slow on the draw for this part of the country, my friend,” + jeered Briscoe. “Or perhaps, while you were at Yuma, you got out of + practice. It's like stealing candy from a kid to beat you to it. Don't + ever try to draw a gun again in Lost Valley while you're asleep. You might + never waken.” + </p> + <p> + Jed was in high good humor with himself. His victim looked silent murder + at him. + </p> + <p> + “One more thing, while you're in a teachable frame of mind,” continued + Briscoe. “I run Lost Valley. What I say, goes here. Get that soaked into + your think-tank, my friend. Ever since you came, you've been disputing + that in your mind. You've been stirring up the boys against me. Think I + haven't noticed it? Guess again, Mr. Struve. You'd like to be boss + yourself, wouldn't you? Forget it. Down in Texas you may be a bad, bad + man, a sure enough wolf, but in Wyoming you only stack up to coyote size. + Let this slip your mind, and I'll be running Lost Valley after your bones + are picked white by the buzzards.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't a-goin' to make you any trouble. Didn't I tell you that before?” + growled Struve reluctantly. + </p> + <p> + “See you don't, then. Now I'll come again to my news. I was telling you + that there's another stranger in this valley, Mr. Struve. Hails from + Texas, too. Name of Fraser. Ever hear of him?” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe was hardly prepared for the change which came over the Texan at + mention of that name. The prominent eyes stared, and a deep, apoplectic + flush ran over the scarred face. The hand that caught at the wall trembled + with excitement. + </p> + <p> + “You mean Steve Fraser—Fraser of the Rangers!” he gasped. + </p> + <p> + “That's what I'm not sure of. I got to milling it over after I left him, + and it come to me I'd seen him or his picture before. You still got that + magazine with the article about him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I looked it over hurriedly. Let me see his picture again, and I'll tell + you if it's the same man.” + </p> + <p> + “It's in the other room.” + </p> + <p> + “Get it.” + </p> + <p> + Struve presently returned with the magazine, and, opening it, pointed to a + photograph of a young officer in uniform, with the caption underneath: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + LIEUTENANT STEPHEN FRASER OF THE TEXAS RANGERS + + Who, single-handed, ran down and brought to justice + the worst gang of outlaws known in recent years. +</pre> + <p> + “It's the same man,” Briscoe announced. + </p> + <p> + The escaped convict's mouth set in a cruel line. + </p> + <p> + “One of us, either him or me, never leaves this valley alive,” he + announced. + </p> + <p> + Jed laughed softly and handed back the revolver. “That's the way to talk. + My friend, if you mean that, you'll need your gun. Here's hoping you beat + him to it.” + </p> + <p> + “It won't be an even break this time if I can help it.” + </p> + <p> + “I gather that it was, last time.” + </p> + <p> + “Yep. We drew together.” Struve interlarded his explanation with oaths. + “He's a devil with a gun. See that?” He held up his right band. + </p> + <p> + “I see you're shy your most useful finger, if that's what you mean.” + </p> + <p> + “Fraser took it off clean at twenty yards. I got him in the hand, too, but + right or left he's a dead shot. He might 'a' killed me if he hadn't wanted + to take me alive. Before I'm through with him he'll wish he had.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you don't want to make any mistake next time. Get him right.” + </p> + <p> + “I sure will.” Hitherto Struve had been absorbed in his own turbid + emotions, but he came back from them now with a new-born suspicion in his + eyes. “Where do you come in, Mr. Briscoe? Why are you so plumb anxious I + should load him up with lead? If it's a showdown, I'd some like to see + your cards too.” + </p> + <p> + Jed shrugged. “My reasons ain't urgent like yours. I don't favor spies + poking their noses in here. That's all there's to it.” + </p> + <p> + Jed had worked out a plot as he rode through the night from the Dillon + ranch—one so safe and certain that it pointed to sure success. Jed + was no coward, but he had a spider-like cunning that wove others as dupes + into the web of his plans. + </p> + <p> + The only weakness in his position lay in himself, in that sudden boiling + up of passion in him that was likely to tear through his own web and + destroy it. Three months ago he had given way to one of these outbursts, + and he knew that any one of four or five men could put a noose around his + neck. That was another reason why such a man as this Texas ranger must not + be allowed to meet and mix with them. + </p> + <p> + It was his cue to know as much as he could of every man that came into the + valley. Wherefore he had run down the record of Struve from the reward + placard which a detective agency furnished him of hundreds of criminals + who were wanted. What could be more simple than to stir up the convict, in + order to save himself, to destroy the ranger who had run him down before? + There would be a demand so insistent for the punishment of the murderer + that it could not be ignored. He would find some pretext to lure Struve + from the valley for a day or two, and would arrange it so that he would be + arrested while he was away. Thus he would be rid of both these troublesome + intruders without making a move that could be seen. + </p> + <p> + It was all as simple as A B C. Already Struve had walked into the trap. As + Jed sat down to take a hand in the poker game that was in progress, he + chuckled quietly to himself. He was quite sure that he was already + practically master of the situation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII — THE ROUND-UP + </h2> + <h3> + “Would you like to take in the round-up to-day?” + </h3> + <p> + Arlie flung the question at Fraser with a frank directness of sloe-black + eyes that had never known coquetry. She was washing handkerchiefs, and her + sleeves were rolled to the elbows of the slender, but muscular, + coffee-brown arms. + </p> + <p> + “I would.” + </p> + <p> + “If you like you may ride out with me to Willow Spring. I have some + letters to take to dad.” + </p> + <p> + “Suits me down to the ground, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + It was a morning beautiful even for Wyoming. The spring called potently to + the youth in them. The fine untempered air was like wine, and out of a + blue sky the sun beat pleasantly down through a crystal-clear atmosphere + known only to the region of the Rockies. Nature was preaching a wordless + sermon on the duty of happiness to two buoyant hearts that scarce needed + it. + </p> + <p> + Long before they reached the scene of the round-up they could hear the + almost continual bawl of worried cattle, and could even see the cloud of + dust they stirred. They passed the remuda, in charge of two lads lounging + sleepily in their saddles with only an occasional glance at the bunch of + grazing horses they were watching. Presently they looked down from a high + ridge at the busy scene below. + </p> + <p> + Out of Lost Valley ran a hundred rough and wooded gulches to the + impassable cliff wall which bounded it. Into one of these they now + descended slowly, letting their ponies pick a way among the loose stones + and shale which covered the steep hillside. + </p> + <p> + What their eyes fell upon was cattle-land at its busiest. Several hundred + wild hill cattle were gathered in the green draw, and around them was a + cordon of riders holding the gather steady. Now and again one of the cows + would make a dash to escape, and instantly the nearest rider would wheel, + as on a batter's plate, give chase, and herd the animal back after a more + or less lengthy pursuit. + </p> + <p> + Several of the riders were cutting out from the main herd cows with + unmarked calves, which last were immediately roped and thrown. Usually it + took only an instant to determine with whose cow the calf had been, and a + few seconds to drive home the correct brand upon the sizzling flank. + Occasionally the discussion was more protracted, in order to solve a doubt + as to the ownership, and once a calf was released that it might again seek + its mother to prove identity. + </p> + <p> + Arlie observed that Fraser's eyes were shining. + </p> + <p> + “I used to be a puncher myse'f,” he explained. “I tell you it feels good + to grip a saddle between your knees, and to swallow the dust and hear the + bellow of the cows. I used to live in them days. I sure did.” + </p> + <p> + A boyish puncher galloped past with a whoop and waved his hat to Arlie. + For two weeks he had been in the saddle for fourteen hours out of the + twenty-four. He was grimy with dust, and hollow-eyed from want of sleep. A + stubbly beard covered his brick-baked face. But the unquenchable gayety of + the youthful West could not be extinguished. Though his flannel shirt + gaped where the thorns had torn it, and the polka-dot bandanna round his + throat was discolored with sweat, he was as blithely debonair as ever. + </p> + <p> + “That's Dick France. He's a great friend of mine,” Arlie explained. + </p> + <p> + “Dick's in luck,” Fraser commented, but whether because he was enjoying + himself so thoroughly or because he was her friend the ranger did not + explain. + </p> + <p> + They stayed through the day, and ate dinner at the tail of the chuck wagon + with the cattlemen. The light of the camp fires, already blazing in the + nipping night air, shone brightly. The ranger rode back with her to the + ranch, but next morning he asked Arlie if she could lend him an old pair + of chaps discarded by her father. + </p> + <p> + She found a pair for him. + </p> + <p> + “If you don't mind, I'll ride out to the round-up and stay with the boys a + few days,” he suggested. + </p> + <p> + “You're going to ride with them,” she accused. + </p> + <p> + “I thought I would. I'm not going to saddle myse'f on you two ladies + forever.” + </p> + <p> + “You know we're glad to have you. But that isn't it. What about your + heart? You know you can't ride the range.” + </p> + <p> + He flushed, and knew again that feeling of contempt for himself, or, to be + more exact, for his position. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be awful careful, Miss Arlie,” was all he found to say. + </p> + <p> + She could not urge him further, lest he misunderstand her. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, you know best,” she said, with a touch of coldness. + </p> + <p> + He saddled Teddy and rode back. The drive for the day was already on, but + he fell in beside young France and did his part. Before two days had + passed he was accepted as one of these hard-riding punchers, for he was a + competent vaquero and stood the grueling work as one born to it. He was, + moreover, well liked, both because he could tell a good story and because + these sons of Anak recognized in him that dynamic quality of manhood they + could not choose but respect. In this a fortunate accident aided him. + </p> + <p> + They were working Lost Creek, a deep and rapid stream at the point where + the drive ended. The big Norwegian, Siegfried, trying to head off a wild + cow racing along the bank with tail up, got too near the edge. The bank + caved beneath the feet of his pony, and man and horse went head first into + the turbid waters. Fraser galloped up at once, flung himself from his + saddle, and took in at a glance the fact that the big blond Hercules could + not swim. + </p> + <p> + The Texan dived for him as he was going down, got hold of him by the hair, + and after a struggle managed somehow to reach the farther shore. As they + both lay there, one exhausted, and the other fighting for the breath he + had nearly lost forever, Dillon reached the bank. + </p> + <p> + “Is it all right, Steve?” he called anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” grinned the ranger weakly. “He'll go on many a spree yet. Eh, + Siegfried?” + </p> + <p> + The Norwegian nodded. He was still frightened and half drowned. It was not + till they were riding up the creek to find a shallow place they could ford + that he spoke his mind. + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane all in ven you got me, pardner.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you were still kicking.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane t'ink Ay had van chance not to get out. But Ay bane not forget + dees. Eef you ever get in a tight place, send vor Sig Siegfried.” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, Sig.” + </p> + <p> + Nobody wasted any compliments on him. After the fashion of their kind, + they guyed the Norwegian about the bath he had taken. Nevertheless, Fraser + knew that he had won the liking of these men, as well as their deep + respect. They began to call him by his first name, which hitherto only + Dillon had done, and they included him in the rough, practical jokes they + played on each other. + </p> + <p> + One night they initiated him—an experience to be both dreaded and + desired. To be desired because it implies the conferring of the + thirty-second degree of the freemasonry of Cattleland's approval; to be + dreaded because hazing is mild compared with some features of the + exercises. + </p> + <p> + Fraser was dragged from sweet slumber, pegged face down on his blankets, + with a large-sized man at the extremity of each arm and leg, and + introduced to a chapping. Dick France wielded the chaps vigorously upon + the portions of his anatomy where they would do the most execution. The + Texan did not enjoy it, but he refrained from saying so. When he was + freed, he sat down painfully on a saddle and remarked amiably: + </p> + <p> + “You're a beautiful bunch, ain't you? Anybody got any smoking?” + </p> + <p> + This proper acceptance of their attentions so delighted these overgrown + children that they dug up three bottles of whisky that were kept in camp + for rattlesnake bites, and made Rome howl. They had ridden all day, and + for many weary days before that; but they were started toward making a + night of it when Dillon appeared. + </p> + <p> + Dillon was boss of the round-up—he had been elected by general + consent, and his word was law. He looked round upon them with a twinkling + eye, and wanted to know how long it was going to last. But the way he put + his question was: + </p> + <p> + “How much whisky is there left?” + </p> + <p> + Finding there was none, he ordered them all back to their blankets. After + a little skylarking, they obeyed. Next day Fraser rode the hills, a sore, + sore man. But nobody who did not know could have guessed it. He would have + died before admitting it to any of his companions. Thus he won the + accolade of his peers as a worthy horse-man of the hills. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII — THE BRONCHO BUSTERS + </h2> + <p> + Jed Briscoe rejoined the round-up the day following Fraser's initiation. + He took silent note of the Texan's popularity, of how the boys all called + him “Steve” because he had become one of them, and were ready either to + lark with him or work with him. He noticed, too, that the ranger did his + share of work without a whimper, apparently enjoying the long, hard hours + in the saddle. The hill riding was of the roughest, and the cattle were + wild as deers and as agile. But there was no break-neck incline too steep + for Steve Fraser to follow. + </p> + <p> + Once Jed chanced upon Steve stripped for a bath beside the creek, and he + understood the physical reason for his perfect poise. The wiry, sinuous + muscles, packed compactly without obtrusion, played beneath the skin like + those of a panther. He walked as softly and as easily as one, with + something of the rippling, unconscious grace of that jungle lord. It was + this certainty of himself that vivified the steel-gray eyes which looked + forth unafraid, and yet amiably, upon a world primitive enough to demand + proof of every man who would hold the respect of his fellows. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Briscoe waited for Struve and his enemy to become entangled in + the net he was spinning. He made no pretense of fellowship with Fraser; + nor, on the other hand, did he actively set himself against him with the + men. He was ready enough to sneer when Dick France grew enthusiastic about + his new friend, but this was to be expected from one of his jaundiced + temper. + </p> + <p> + “Who is this all-round crackerjack you're touting, Dick?” he asked + significantly. + </p> + <p> + France was puzzled. “Who is he? Why, he's Steve Fraser.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't asking you what his name is. I'm asking who he is. What does he + do for a living? Who recommended him so strong to the boys that they take + up with him so sudden?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care what he does for a living. Likely, he rides the range in + Texas. When it comes to recommendations, he's got one mighty good one + written on his face.” + </p> + <p> + “You think so, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “That's what I think, Jed. He's the goods—best of company, a + straight-up rider, and a first-rate puncher. Ask any of the boys.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm using my eyes, Dick. They tell me all I need to know.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, use them to-morrow. He's going to take a whirl at riding Dead Easy. + Next day he's going to take on Rocking Horse. If he makes good on them, + you'll admit he can ride.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't saying he can't ride. So can you. If it's plumb gentle, I can + make out to stick on a pony myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Course you can ride. Everybody knows that. You're the best ever. Any man + that can win the championship of Wyoming——But you'll say + yourself them strawberry roans are wicked devils.” + </p> + <p> + “He hasn't ridden them yet, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “He's going to.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll be there to see it. Mebbe he will. Mebbe he won't. I've known men + before who thought they were going to.” + </p> + <p> + It was in no moment of good-natured weakness that Fraser had consented to + try riding the outlaw horses. Nor had his vanity anything to do with it. + He knew a time might be coming when he would need all the prestige and all + the friendship he could earn to tide him over the crisis. Jed Briscoe had + won his leadership, partly because he could shoot quicker and straighter, + ride harder, throw a rope more accurately, and play poker better than his + companions. + </p> + <p> + Steve had a mind to show that he, too, could do some of these things + passing well. Wherefore, he had let himself be badgered good-naturedly + into trying a fall with these famous buckers. As the heavy work of the + round-up was almost over, Dillon was glad to relax discipline enough to + give the boys a little fun. + </p> + <p> + The remuda was driven up while the outfit was at breakfast. His friends + guyed Steve with pleasant prophecy. + </p> + <p> + “He'll be hunting leather about the fourth buck!” + </p> + <p> + “If he ain't trying to make of himse'f one of them there Darius Green + machines!” suggested another. + </p> + <p> + “Got any last words, Steve? Dead Easy most generally eats 'em alive,” Dick + derided. + </p> + <p> + “Sho! Cayn't you see he's so plumb scared he cayn't talk?” + </p> + <p> + Fraser grinned and continued to eat. When he had finished he got his + lariat from the saddle, swung to Siegfried's pony, and rode unobtrusively + forward to the remuda. The horses were circling round and round, so that + it was several minutes before he found a chance. When he did, the rope + snaked forward and dropped over the head of the strawberry roan. The horse + stood trembling, making not the least resistance, even while the ranger + saddled and cinched. + </p> + <p> + But before the man settled to the saddle, the outlaw was off on its + furious resistance. It went forward and up into the air with a plunging + leap. The rider swung his hat and gave a joyous whoop. Next instant there + was a scatter of laughing men as the horse came toward them in a series of + short, stiff-legged bucks which would have jarred its rider like a pile + driver falling on his head had he not let himself grow limp to meet the + shock. + </p> + <p> + All the tricks of its kind this unbroken five-year-old knew. Weaving, + pitching, sunfishing, it fought superbly, the while Steve rode with the + consummate ease of a master. His sinuous form swayed instinctively to + every changing motion of his mount. Even when it flung itself back in + blind fury, he dropped lightly from the saddle and into it again as the + animal struggled to its feet. + </p> + <p> + The cook waved a frying pan in frantic glee. “Hurra-ay! You're the goods, + all right, all right.” + </p> + <p> + “You bet. Watch Steve fan him. And he ain't pulled leather yet. Not once.” + </p> + <p> + An unseen spectator was taking it in from the brow of a little hill + crowned with a group of firs. She had reached this point just as the Texan + had swung to the saddle, and she watched the battle between horse and man + intently. If any had been there to see, he might have observed a strange + fire smouldering in her eyes. For the first time there was filtering + through her a vague suspicion of this man who claimed to have heart + trouble, and had deliberately subjected himself to the terrific strain of + such a test. She had seen broncho busters get off bleeding at mouth and + nose and ears after a hard fight, and she had never seen a contest more + superbly fought than this one. But full of courage as the horse was, it + had met its master and began to know it. + </p> + <p> + The ranger's quirt was going up and down, stinging Dead Easy to more + violent exertions, if possible. But the outlaw had shot its bolt. The + plunges grew less vicious, the bucks more feeble. It still pitched, + because of the unbroken gameness that defied defeat, but so mechanically + that the motions could be forecasted. + </p> + <p> + Then Steve began to soothe the brute. Somehow the wild creatute became + aware that this man who was his master was also disposed to be friendly. + Presently it gave up the battle, quivering in every limb. Fraser slipped + from the saddle, and putting his arm across its neck began to gentle the + outlaw. The animal had always looked the incarnation of wickedness. The + red eyes in its ill-shaped head were enough to give one bad dreams. A + quarter of an hour before, it had bit savagely at him. Now it stood + breathing deep, and trembling while its master let his hand pass gently + over the nose and neck with soft words that slowly won the pony back from + the terror into which it had worked itself. + </p> + <p> + “You did well, Mr. Fraser from Texas,” Jed complimented him, with a smile + that thinly hid his malice. “But it won't do to have you going back to + Texas with the word that Wyoming is shy of riders. I ain't any great + shakes, but I reckon I'll have to take a whirl at Rocking Horse.” He had + decided to ride for two reasons. One was that he had glimpsed the girl + among the firs; the other was to dissipate the admiration his rival had + created among the men. + </p> + <p> + Briscoe lounged toward the remuda, rope in hand. It was his cue to get + himself up picturesquely in all the paraphernalia of the cowboy. + Black-haired and white-toothed, lithe as a wolf, and endowed with a grace + almost feline, it was easy to understand how this man appealed to the + imagination of the reckless young fellows of this primeval valley. + Everything he did was done well. Furthermore, he looked and acted the part + of leader which he assumed. + </p> + <p> + Rocking Horse was in a different mood from its brother. It was hard to + rope, and when Jed's raw-hide had fallen over its head it was necessary to + reënforce the lariat with two others. Finally the pony had to be flung + down before a saddle could be put on. When Siegfried, who had been + kneeling on its head, stepped back, the outlaw staggered to its feet, + already badly shaken, to find an incubus clamped to the saddle. + </p> + <p> + No matter how it pitched, the human clothespin stuck to his seat, and + apparently with as little concern as if he had been in a rowboat gently + moved to and fro by the waves. Jed rode like a centaur, every motion + attuned to those of the animal as much as if he were a part of it. No + matter how it pounded or tossed, he stuck securely to the hurricane deck + of the broncho. + </p> + <p> + Once only he was in danger, and that because Rocking Horse flung furiously + against the wheel of a wagon and ground the rider's leg till he grew dizzy + with the pain. For an instant he caught at the saddle horn to steady + himself as the roan bucked into the open again. + </p> + <p> + “He's pulling leather!” some one shouted. + </p> + <p> + “Shut up, you goat!” advised the Texan good-naturedly. “Can't you see his + laig got jammed till he's groggy? Wonder is, he didn't take the dust! They + don't raise better riders than he is.” + </p> + <p> + “By hockey! He's all in. Look out! Jed's falling,” France cried, running + forward. + </p> + <p> + It looked so for a moment, then Jed swam back to clear consciousness + again, and waved them back. He began to use his quirt without mercy. + </p> + <p> + “Might know he'd game it out,” remarked Yorky. + </p> + <p> + He did. It was a long fight, and the horse was flecked with bloody foam + before its spirit and strength failed. But the man in the saddle kept his + seat till the victory was won. + </p> + <p> + Steve was on the spot to join heartily the murmur of applause, for he was + too good a sportsman to grudge admiration even to his enemy. + </p> + <p> + “You're the one best bet in riders, Mr. Briscoe. It's a pleasure to watch + you,” he said frankly. + </p> + <p> + Jed's narrowed eyes drifted to him. “Oh, hell!” he drawled with insolent + contempt, and turned on his heel. + </p> + <p> + From the clump of firs a young woman was descending, and Jed went to meet + her. + </p> + <p> + “You rode splendidly,” she told him with vivid eyes. “Were you hurt when + you were jammed again the wagon? I mean, does it still hurt?” For she + noticed that he walked with a limp. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon I can stand the grief without an amputation. Arlie, I got + something to tell you.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him in her direct fashion and waited. + </p> + <p> + “It's about your new friend.” He drew from a pocket some leaves torn out + of a magazine. His finger indicated a picture. “Ever see that gentleman + before?” + </p> + <p> + The girl looked at it coolly. “It seems to be Mr. Fraser taken in his + uniform; Lieutenant Fraser, I should say.” + </p> + <p> + The cattleman's face fell. “You know, then, who he is, and what he's doing + here.” + </p> + <p> + Without evasion, her gaze met his. “I understood him to say he was an + officer in the Texas Rangers. You know why he is here.” + </p> + <p> + “You're right, I do. But do you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what is it you mean? Out with it, Jed,” she demanded impatiently. + </p> + <p> + “He is here to get a man wanted in Texas, a man hiding in this valley + right now.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe it,” she returned quickly. “And if he is, that's not your + business or mine. It's his duty, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't discussing that. You know the law of the valley, Arlie.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't accept that as binding, Jed. Lots of people here don't. Because + Lost Valley used to be a nest of miscreants, it needn't always be. I don't + see what right we've got to set ourselves above the law.” + </p> + <p> + “This valley has always stood by hunted men when they reached it. That's + our custom, and I mean to stick to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. I hold you to that,” she answered quickly. “This man Fraser is + a hunted man. He's hunted because of what he did for me and dad. I claim + the protection of the valley for him.” + </p> + <p> + “He can have it—if he's what he says he is. But why ain't he been + square with us? Why didn't he tell who he was?” + </p> + <p> + “He told me.” + </p> + <p> + “That ain't enough, Arlie. If he did, you kept it quiet. We all had a + right to know.” + </p> + <p> + “If you had asked him, he would have told you.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't so sure he would. Anyhow, I don't like it. I believe he is here + to get the man I told you of. Mebbe that ain't all.” + </p> + <p> + “What more?” she scoffed. + </p> + <p> + “This fellow is the best range detective in the country. My notion is he's + spying around about that Squaw Creek raid.” + </p> + <p> + Under the dusky skin she flushed angrily. “My notion is you're daffy, Jed. + Talk sense, and I'll listen to you. You haven't a grain of proof.” + </p> + <p> + “I may get some yet,” he told her sulkily. + </p> + <p> + She laughed her disbelief. “When you do, let me know.” + </p> + <p> + And with that she gave her pony the signal to more forward. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, she met the ranger at the foot of the little hill with + distinct coldness. When he came up to shake hands, she was too busy + dismounting to notice. + </p> + <p> + “Your heart must be a good deal better. I suppose Lost Valley agrees with + you.” She had swung down on the other side of the horse, and her glance at + him across the saddle seat was like a rapier thrust. + </p> + <p> + He was aware at once of being in disgrace with her, and it chafed him that + he had no adequate answer to her implied charge. + </p> + <p> + “My heart's all right,” he said a little gruffly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it seems to be, lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + She trailed the reins and turned away at once to find her father. The girl + was disappointed in him. He had, in effect, lied to her. That was bad + enough; but she felt that his lie had concealed something, how much she + scarce dared say. Her tangled thoughts were in chaos. One moment she was + ready to believe the worst; the next, it was impossible to conceive such a + man so vile a spy as to reward hospitality with treachery. + </p> + <p> + Yet she remembered now that it had been while she was telling of the fate + of the traitor Burke that she had driven him to his lie. Or had he not + told it first when she pointed out Lost Valley at his feet? Yes, it was at + that moment she had noticed his pallor. He had, at least, conscience + enough to be ashamed of what he was doing. But she recognized a wide + margin of difference between the possibilities of his guilt. It was one + thing to come to the valley for an escaped murderer; it was quite another + to use the hospitality of his host as a means to betray the friends of + that host. Deep in her heart she could not find it possible to convict him + of the latter alternative. He was too much a man, too vitally dynamic. No; + whatever else he was, she felt sure he was not so hopelessly lost to + decency. He had that electric spark of self-respect which may coexist with + many faults, but not with treachery. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX — A SHOT FROM BALD KNOB + </h2> + <p> + A bunch of young steers which had strayed from their range were to be + driven to the Dillon ranch, and the boss of the rodeo appointed France and + Fraser to the task. + </p> + <p> + “Yo'll have company home, honey,” he told his daughter, “and yo'll be able + to give the boys a hand if they need it. These hill cattle are still some + wild, though we've been working them a week. Yo're a heap better cowboy + than some that works more steady at the business.” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe nodded. “You bet! I ain't forgot that day Arlie rode Big Timber + with me two years ago. She wasn't sixteen then, but she herded them hill + steers like they belonged to a milk bunch.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke his compliment patly enough, but somehow the girl had an + impression that he was thinking of something else. She was right, for as + he helped gather the drive his mind was busy with a problem. Presently he + dismounted to tighten a cinch, and made a signal to a young fellow known + as Slim Leroy. The latter was a new and tender recruit to Jed's band of + miscreants. He drew up beside his leader and examined one of the fore + hoofs of his pony. + </p> + <p> + “Slim, I'm going to have Dillon send you for the mail to-day. When he + tells you, that's the first you know about it. Understand? You'll have to + take the hill cut to Jack Rabbit Run on your way in. At the cabin back of + the aspens, inquire for a man that calls himself Johnson. If he's there, + give him this message: 'This afternoon from Bald Knob.' Remember! Just + those words, and nothing more. If he isn't there, forget the message. + You'll know the man you want because he is shy his trigger finger and has + a ragged scar across his right cheek. Make no mistake about this, Slim.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure I won't.” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe, having finished cinching, swung to his saddle and rode up to say + good-by to Arlie. + </p> + <p> + “Hope you'll have no trouble with this bunch. If you push right along + you'd ought to get home by night,” he told her. + </p> + <p> + Arlie agreed carelessly. “I don't expect any trouble with them. So-long, + Jed.” + </p> + <p> + It would not have been her choice to ride home with the lieutenant of + rangers, but since her father had made the appointment publicly she did + not care to make objection. Yet she took care to let Fraser see that he + was in her black books. The men rode toward the rear of the herd, one on + each side, and Arlie fell in beside her old playmate, Dick. She laughed + and talked with him about a hundred things in which Steve could have had + no part, even if he had been close enough to catch more than one word out + of twenty. Not once did she even look his way. Quite plainly she had taken + pains to forget his existence. + </p> + <p> + “It was Briscoe's turn the other day,” mused the Texan. “It's mine now. I + wonder when it will be Dick's to get put out in the cold!” + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, though he tried to act the philosopher, it cut him that the + high-spirited girl had condemned him. He felt himself in a false position + from which he could not easily extricate himself. The worst of it was that + if it came to a showdown he could not expect the simple truth to exonerate + him. + </p> + <p> + From where they rode there drifted to him occasionally the sound of the + gay voices of the young people. It struck him for the first time that he + was getting old. Arlie could not be over eighteen, and Dick perhaps + twenty-one. Maybe young people like that thought a fellow of twenty-seven + a Methusaleh. + </p> + <p> + After a time the thirsty cattle smelt water and hit a bee line so steadily + for it that they needed no watching. Every minute or two one of the + leaders stretched out its neck and let out a bellow without slackening its + pace. + </p> + <p> + Steve lazed on his pony, shifting his position to ease his cramped limbs + after the manner of the range rider. In spite of himself, his eyes would + drift toward the jaunty little figure on the pinto. The masculine in him + approved mightily her lissom grace and the proud lilt of her dark head, + with its sun-kissed face set in profile to him. He thought her serviceable + costume very becoming, from the pinched felt hat pinned to the dark mass + of hair, and the red silk kerchief knotted loosely round the pretty + throat, to the leggings beneath the corduroy skirt and the flannel waist + with sleeves rolled up in summer-girl fashion to leave the tanned arms + bare to the dimpled elbows. + </p> + <p> + The trail, winding through a narrow defile, brought them side by side + again. + </p> + <p> + “Ever notice what a persistent color buckskin is, Steve?” inquired France, + by way of bringing him into the conversation. “It's strong in every one of + these cattle, though the old man has been trying to get rid of it for ten + years.” + </p> + <p> + “You mustn't talk to me, Dick,” responded his friend gravely. “Little + Willie told a lie, and he's being stood in a corner.” + </p> + <p> + Arlie flushed angrily, opened her mouth to speak, and, changing her mind, + looked at him witheringly. He didn't wither, however. Instead, he smiled + broadly, got out his mouth organ, and cheerfully entertained them with his + favorite, “I Met My Love In the Alamo.” + </p> + <p> + The hot blood under dusky skin held its own in her cheeks. She was furious + with him, and dared not trust herself to speak. As soon as they had passed + through the defile she spurred forward, as if to turn the leaders. France + turned to his friend and laughed ruefully. + </p> + <p> + “She's full of pepper, Steve.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger nodded. “She's all right, Dick. If you want to know, she's got + a right to make a doormat of me. I lied to her. I was up against it, and I + kinder had to. You ride along and join her. If you want to get right + solid, tell her how many kinds of a skunk I am. Worst of it is, I ain't + any too sure I'm not.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure for you then, Steve,” the lad called back, as he loped forward + after the girl. + </p> + <p> + He was so sure, that he began to praise his friend to Arlie, to tell her + of what a competent cowman he was, how none of them could make a cut or + rope a wild steer like him. She presently wanted to know whether Dick + could not find something more interesting to talk about. + </p> + <p> + He could not help smiling at her downright manner. “You've surely got it + in for him, Arlie. I thought you liked him.” + </p> + <p> + She pulled up her horse, and looked at him. “What made you think that? Did + he tell you so?” + </p> + <p> + Dick fairly shouted. “You do rub it in, girl, when you've got a down on a + fellow. No, he didn't tell me. You did.” + </p> + <p> + “Me?” she protested indignantly. “I never did.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you didn't say so, but I don't need a church to fall on me before I + can take a hint. You acted as though you liked him that day you and him + came riding into camp.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't do any such thing, Dick France. I don't like him at all,” very + decidedly. + </p> + <p> + “All the boys do—all but Jed. I don't reckon he does.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I have to like him because the boys do?” she demanded. + </p> + <p> + “O' course not.” Dick stopped, trying to puzzle it out. “He says you ain't + to blame, that he lied to you. That seems right strange, too. It ain't + like Steve to lie.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know so much about him? You haven't known him a week.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what Jed says. I say it ain't a question of time. Some men I've + knew ten years I ain't half so sure of. He's a man from the ground up. Any + one could tell that, before they had seen him five minutes.” + </p> + <p> + Secretly, the girl was greatly pleased. She so wanted to believe that Dick + was right. It was what she herself had thought. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you'd seen him the day he pulled Siegfried out of Lost Creek. Tell + you, I thought they were both goners,” Dick continued. + </p> + <p> + “I expect it was most ankle-deep,” she scoffed. “Hello, we're past Bald + Knob!” + </p> + <p> + “They both came mighty nigh handing in their checks.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know that, though I knew, of course, he was fearless,” Arlie + said. + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” Dick drew in his horse sharply, and looked back. + </p> + <p> + The sound of a rifle shot echoed from hillside to hillside. Like a streak + of light, the girl's pinto flashed past him. He heard her give a sobbing + cry of anguish. Then he saw that Steve was slipping very slowly from his + saddle. + </p> + <p> + A second shot rang out. The light was beginning to fail, but he made out a + man's figure crouched among the small pines on the shoulder of Bald Knob. + Dick jerked out his revolver as he rode back, and fired twice. He was + quite out of pistol range, but he wanted the man in ambush to see that + help was at hand. He saw Arlie fling herself from her pony in time to + support the Texan just as he sank to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “She'll take care of Steve. It's me for that murderer,” the young man + thought. + </p> + <p> + Acting upon that impulse, he slid from his horse and slipped into the + sagebrush of the hillside. By good fortune he was wearing a gray shirt of + a shade which melted into that of the underbrush. Night falls swiftly in + the mountains, and already dusk was softly spreading itself over the + hills. + </p> + <p> + Dick went up a draw, where young pines huddled together in the trough; and + from the upper end of this he emerged upon a steep ridge, eyes and ears + alert for the least sign of human presence. A third shot had rung out + while he was in the dense mass of foliage of the evergreens, but now + silence lay heavy all about him. The gathering darkness blurred detail, so + that any one of a dozen bowlders might be a shield for a crouching man. + </p> + <p> + Once, nerves at a wire edge from the strain on him, he thought he saw a + moving figure. Throwing up his gun, he fired quickly. But he must have + been mistaken, for, shortly afterward, he heard some one crashing through + dead brush at a distance. + </p> + <p> + “He's on the run, whoever he is. Guess I'll get back to Steve,” decided + France wisely. + </p> + <p> + He found his friend stretched on the ground, with his head in Arlie's lap. + </p> + <p> + “Is it very bad?” he asked the girl. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know. There's no light. Whatever shall we do?” she moaned. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a right smart of a nuisance, ain't I?” drawled the wounded man + unexpectedly. + </p> + <p> + She leaned forward quickly. “Where are you hit?” + </p> + <p> + “In the shoulder, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you ride, Steve? Do you reckon you could make out the five miles?” + Dick asked. + </p> + <p> + Arlie answered for him. She had felt the inert weight of his heavy body + and knew that he was beyond helping himself. “No. Is there no house near? + There's Alec Howard's cabin.” + </p> + <p> + “He's at the round-up, but I guess we had better take Steve there—if + we could make out to get him that far.” + </p> + <p> + The girl took command quietly. “Unsaddle Teddy.” + </p> + <p> + She had unloosened his shirt and was tying her silk kerchief over the + wound, from which blood was coming in little jets. + </p> + <p> + “We can't carry him,” she decided. “It's too far. We'll have to lift him + to the back of the horse, and let him lie there. Steady, Dick. That's + right. You must hold him on, while I lead the horse.” + </p> + <p> + Heavy as he was, they somehow hoisted him, and started. He had fainted + again, and hung limply, with his face buried in the mane of the pony. It + seemed an age before the cabin loomed, shadow-like, out of the darkness. + They found the door unlocked, as usual, and carried him in to the bed. + </p> + <p> + “Give me your knife, Dick,” Arlie ordered quietly. “And I want water. If + that's a towel over there, bring it.” + </p> + <p> + “Just a moment. I'll strike a light, and we'll see where we're at.” + </p> + <p> + “No. We'll have to work in the dark. A light might bring them down on us.” + She had been cutting the band of the shirt, and now ripped it so as to + expose the wounded shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Dick took a bucket to the creek, and presently returned with it. In his + right hand he carried his revolver. When he reached the cabin he gave an + audible sigh of relief and quickly locked the door. + </p> + <p> + “Of course you'll have to go for help, Dick. Bring old Doc Lee.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Arlie, I can't leave you here alone. What are you talking about?” + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to. It's the only thing to do. You'll have to give me your + revolver. And, oh, Dick, don't lose a moment on the way.” + </p> + <p> + He was plainly troubled. “I just can't leave you here alone, girl. What + would your father say if anything happened? I don't reckon anything will, + but we can't tell. No, I'll stay here, too. Steve must take his chance.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll not stay.” She flamed round upon him, with the fierce passion of a + tigress fighting for her young. “You'll go this minute—this very + minute!” + </p> + <p> + “But don't you see I oughtn't to leave you? Anybody would tell you that,” + he pleaded. + </p> + <p> + “And you call yourself his friend,” she cried, in a low, bitter voice. + </p> + <p> + “I call myself yours, too,” he made answer doggedly. + </p> + <p> + “Then go. Go this instant. You'll go, anyway; but if you're my friend, + you'll go gladly, and bring help to save us both.” + </p> + <p> + “I wisht I knew what to do,” he groaned. + </p> + <p> + Her palms fastened on his shoulders. She was a creature transformed. Such + bravery, such feminine ferocity, such a burning passion of the spirit, was + altogether outside of his experience of her or any other woman. He could + no more resist her than he could fly to the top of Bald Knob. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go, Arlie.” + </p> + <p> + “And bring help soon. Get Doc Lee here soon as you can. Leave word for + armed men to follow. Don't wait for them.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Take his Teddy horse. It can cover ground faster than yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + With plain misgivings, he left her, and presently she heard the sound of + his galloping horse. It seemed to her for a moment as if she must call him + back, but she strangled the cry in her throat. She locked the door and + bolted it, then turned back to the bed, upon which the wounded man was + beginning to moan in his delirium. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X — DOC LEE + </h2> + <p> + Arlie knew nothing of wounds or their treatment. All she could do was to + wash the shoulder in cold water and bind it with strips torn from her + white underskirt. When his face and hands grew hot with the fever, she + bathed them with a wet towel. How badly he was hurt—whether he might + not even die before Dick's return—she had no way of telling. His + inconsequent babble at first frightened her, for she had never before seen + a person in delirium, nor heard of the insistence with which one harps + upon some fantasy seized upon by a diseased mind. + </p> + <p> + “She thinks you're a skunk, Steve. So you are. She's dead right—dead + right—dead right. You lied to her, you coyote! Stand up in the + corner, you liar, while she whangs at you with a six-gun! You're a skunk—dead + right.” + </p> + <p> + So he would run on in a variation of monotony, the strong, supple, + masterful man as helpless as a child, all the splendid virility stricken + from him by the pressure of an enemy's finger. The eyes that she had known + so full of expression, now like half-scabbarded steel, and now again + bubbling from the inner mirth of him, were glazed and unmeaning. The girl + had felt in him a capacity for silent self-containment; and here he was, + picking at the coverlet with restless fingers, prattling foolishly, like + an infant. + </p> + <p> + She was a child of impulse, sensitive and plastic. Because she had been + hard on him before he was struck down, her spirit ran open-armed to make + amends. What manner of man he was she did not know. But what availed that + to keep her, a creature of fire and dew, from the clutch of emotions + strange and poignant? He had called himself a liar and a coyote, yet she + knew it was not true, or at worst, true in some qualified sense. He might + be hard, reckless, even wicked in some ways. But, vaguely, she felt that + if he were a sinner he sinned with self-respect. He was in no moral + collapse, at least. It was impossible to fit him to her conception of a + spy. No, no! Anything but that! + </p> + <p> + So she sat there, her fingers laced about her knee, as she leaned forward + to wait upon the needs she could imagine for him, the dumb tragedy of + despair in her childish face. + </p> + <p> + The situation was one that made for terror. To be alone with a wounded + man, his hurt undressed, to hear his delirium and not to know whether he + might not die any minute—this would have been enough to cause + apprehension. Add to it the darkness, her deep interest in him, the + struggle of her soul, and the dread of unseen murder stalking in the + silent night. + </p> + <p> + Though her thought was of him, it was not wholly upon him. She sat where + she could watch the window, Dick's revolver in another chair beside her. + It was a still, starry night, and faintly she could see the hazy purple, + mountain line. Somewhere beneath those uncaring stars was the man who had + done this awful thing. Was he far, or was he near? Would he come to make + sure he had not failed? Her fearful heart told her that he would come. + </p> + <p> + She must have fought her fears nearly an hour before she heard the + faintest of sounds outside. Her hand leaped to the revolver. She sat + motionless, listening, with nerves taut. It came again presently, a + deadened footfall, close to the door. Then, after an eternity, the latch + clicked softly. Some one, with infinite care, was trying to discover + whether the door was locked. + </p> + <p> + His next move she anticipated. Her eyes fastened on the window, while she + waited breathlessly. Her heart was stammering furiously. Moments passed, + in which she had to set her teeth to keep from screaming aloud. The + revolver was shaking so that she had to steady the barrel with her left + hand. A shadow crossed one pane, the shadow of a head in profile, and + pushed itself forward till shoulders, arm, and poised revolver covered the + lower sash. Very, very slowly the head itself crept into sight. + </p> + <p> + Arlie fired and screamed simultaneously. The thud of a fall, the scuffle + of a man gathering himself to his feet again, the rush of retreating + steps, all merged themselves in one single impression of fierce, exultant + triumph. + </p> + <p> + Her only regret was that she had not killed him. She was not even sure + that she had hit him, for her bullet had gone through the glass within an + inch of the inner woodwork. Nevertheless, she knew that he had had a shock + that would carry him far. Unless he had accomplices with him—and of + that there had been no evidence at the time of the attack from Bald Knob—he + would not venture another attempt. Of one thing she was sure. The face + that had looked in at the window was one she had never seen before, In + this, too, she found relief—for she knew now that the face she had + expected to see follow the shadow over the pane had been that of Jed + Briscoe; and Jed had too much of the courage of Lucifer incarnate in him + to give up because an unexpected revolver had been fired in his face. + </p> + <p> + Time crept slowly, but it could hardly have been a quarter of an hour + later that she heard the galloping of horses. + </p> + <p> + “It is Dick!” she cried joyfully, and, running to the door, she unbolted + and unlocked it just as France dragged Teddy to a halt and flung himself + to the ground. + </p> + <p> + The young man gave a shout of gladness at sight of her. + </p> + <p> + “Is it all right, Arlie?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. That is—I don't know. He is delirious. A man came to the + window, and I shot at him. Oh, Dick, I'm so glad you're back.” + </p> + <p> + In her great joy, she put her arms round his neck and kissed him. Old + Doctor Lee, dismounting more leisurely, drawled his protest. + </p> + <p> + “Look-a-here, Arlie. I'm the doctor. Where do I come in?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll kiss you, too, when you tell me he'll get well.” The half-hysterical + laugh died out of her voice, and she caught him fiercely by the arm. “Doc, + doc, don't let him die,” she begged. + </p> + <p> + He had known her all her life, had been by the bedside when she came into + the world, and he put his arm round her shoulders and gave her a little + hug as they passed into the room. + </p> + <p> + “We'll do our level best, little girl.” + </p> + <p> + She lit a lamp, and drew the window curtain, so that none could see from + the outside. While the old doctor arranged his instruments and bandages on + chairs, she waited on him. He noticed how white she was, for he said, not + unkindly: + </p> + <p> + “I don't want two patients right now, Arlie. If you're going to keel over + in a faint right in the middle of it, I'll have Dick help.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, I won't, doc. Truly, I won't,” she promised. + </p> + <p> + “All right, little girl. We'll see how game you are. Dick, hold the light. + Hold it right there. See?” + </p> + <p> + The Texan had ceased talking, and was silent, except for a low moan, + repeated at regular intervals. The doctor showed Arlie how to administer + the anaesthetic after he had washed the wound. While he was searching for + the bullet with his probe she flinched as if he had touched a bare nerve, + but she stuck to her work regardless of her feelings, until the lead was + found and extracted and the wound dressed. + </p> + <p> + Afterward, Dick found her seated on a rock outside crying hysterically. He + did not attempt to cope with the situation, but returned to the house and + told Lee. + </p> + <p> + “Best thing for her. Her nerves are overwrought and unstrung. She'll be + all right, once she has her cry out. I'll drift around, and jolly her + along.” + </p> + <p> + The doctor presently came up and took a seat beside her. + </p> + <p> + “Wha—what do you think, doctor?” she sobbed. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think it's tarnation hot operating with a big kerosene lamp six + inches from your haid,” he said, as he mopped his forehead. + </p> + <p> + “I mean—will he—get well?” + </p> + <p> + Lee snorted. “Well, I'd be ashamed of him if he didn't. If he lets a nice, + clean, flesh wound put him out of business he don't deserve to live. Don't + worry any about him, young lady. Say, I wish I had zwei beer right now, + Arlie.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean it? You're not just saying it to please me?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I mean it,” he protested indignantly. “I wish I had three.” + </p> + <p> + “I mean, are you sure he'll get well?” she explained, a faint smile + touching her wan face. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I mean that, too, but right now I mean the beer most. Now, honest, + haven't I earned a beer?” + </p> + <p> + “You've earned a hundred thousand, doc. You're the kindest and dearest man + that ever lived,” she cried. + </p> + <p> + “Ain't that rather a large order, my dear?” he protested mildly. “I + couldn't really use a hundred thousand. And I'd hate to be better than Job + and Moses and Pharaoh and them Bible characters. Wouldn't I have to give + up chewing? Somehow, a halo don't seem to fit my haid. It's most too bald + to carry one graceful.... You may do that again if you want to.” This + last, apropos of the promised reward which had just been paid in full. + </p> + <p> + Arlie found she could manage a little laugh by this time. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you ain't going to, we might as well go in and have a look at + that false-alarm patient of ours,” he continued. “We'll have to sit up all + night with him. I was sixty-three yesterday. I'm going to quit this doctor + game. I'm too old to go racing round the country nights just because you + young folks enjoy shooting each other up. Yes, ma'am, I'm going to quit. I + serve notice right here. What's the use of having a good ranch and some + cattle if you can't enjoy them?” + </p> + <p> + As the doctor had been serving notice of his intention to quit doctoring + for over ten years, Arlie did not take him too seriously. She knew him for + what he was—a whimsical old fellow, who would drop in the saddle + before he would let a patient suffer; one of the old school, who loved his + work but liked to grumble over it. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe you'll be able to take a rest soon. You know that young doctor from + Denver, who was talking about settling here——” + </p> + <p> + This, as she knew, was a sore point with him. “So you're tired of me, are + you? Want a new-fangled appendix cutter from Denver, do you? Time to shove + old Doc Lee aside, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't say that, doc,” she repented. + </p> + <p> + “Huh! You meant it. Wonder how many times he'd get up at midnight and plow + through three-foot snow for six miles to see the most ungrateful, + squalling little brat——” + </p> + <p> + “Was it me, doc?” she ungrammatically demanded. + </p> + <p> + “It was you, Miss Impudence.” + </p> + <p> + They had reached the door, but she held him there a moment, while she + laughed delightedly and hugged him. “I knew it was me. As if we'd let our + old doc go, or have anything to do with a young ignoramus from Denver! + Didn't you know I was joking? Of course you did.” + </p> + <p> + He still pretended severity. “Oh, I know you. When it comes to wheedling + an old fool, you've got the rest of the girls in this valley beat to a + fare-you-well.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that why you always loved me?” she asked, with a sparkle of mischief + in her eye. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't love you. I never did. The idea!” he snorted. “I don't know what + you young giddy pates are coming to. Huh! Love you!” + </p> + <p> + “I'll forgive you, even if you did,” she told him sweetly. + </p> + <p> + “That's it! That's it!” he barked. “You forgive all the young idiots when + they do. And they all do—every last one of them. But I'm too old for + you, young lady. Sixty-three yesterday. Huh!” + </p> + <p> + “I like you better than the younger ones.” + </p> + <p> + “Want us all, do you? Young and old alike. Well, count me out.” + </p> + <p> + He broke away, and went into the house. But there was an unconquerably + youthful smile dancing in his eyes. This young lady and he had made love + to each other in some such fashion ever since she had been a year old. He + was a mellow and confirmed old bachelor, but he proposed to continue their + innocent coquetry until he was laid away, no matter which of the young + bucks of the valley had the good fortune to win her for a wife. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI — THE FAT IN THE FIRE + </h2> + <p> + For two days Fraser remained in the cabin of the stockman Howard, France + making it his business to see that the place was never left unguarded for + a moment. At the end of that time the fever had greatly abated, and he was + doing so well that Doctor Lee decided it would be better to move him to + the Dillon ranch for the convenience of all parties. + </p> + <p> + This was done, and the patient continued steadily to improve. His vigorous + constitution, helped by the healthy, clean, outdoor life he had led, stood + him in good stead. Day by day he renewed the blood he had lost. Soon he + was eating prodigious dinners, and between meals was drinking milk with an + egg beaten in it. + </p> + <p> + On a sunny forenoon, when he lay in the big window of the living room, + reading a magazine, Arlie entered, a newspaper in her hand. Her eyes were + strangely bright, even for her, and she had a manner of repressed + excitement, Her face was almost colorless. + </p> + <p> + “Here's some more in the Avalanche about our adventure near Gimlet Butte,” + she told him, waving the paper. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing like keeping in the public eye,” said Steve, grinning. “I don't + reckon our little picnic at Bald Knob is likely to get in the Avalanche, + though. It probably hasn't any correspondent at Lost Valley. Anyhow, I'm + hoping not.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Fraser, there is something in this paper I want you to explain. But + tell me first when it was you shot this man Faulkner. I mean at just what + time in the fight.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I reckon it must have been just before I ducked.” + </p> + <p> + “That's funny, too.” She fixed her direct, fearless gaze on him. “The + evidence at the coroner's jury shows that it was in the early part of the + fight he was shot, before father and I left you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that couldn't have been, Miss Arlie, because——” + </p> + <p> + “Because——” she prompted, smiling at him in a peculiar manner. + </p> + <p> + He flushed, and could only say that the newspapers were always getting + things wrong. + </p> + <p> + “But this is the evidence at the coroner's inquest,” she said, falling + grave again on the instant. “I understand one thing now, very clearly, and + that is that Faulkner was killed early in the fight, and the other man was + wounded in the ankle near the finish.” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head obstinately. “No, I reckon not.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet it is true. What's more, you knew it all the time.” + </p> + <p> + “You ce'tainly jump to conclusions, Miss Arlie.” + </p> + <p> + “And you let them arrest you, without telling them the truth! And they + came near lynching you! And there's a warrant out now for your arrest for + the murder of Faulkner, while all the time I killed him, and you knew it!” + </p> + <p> + He gathered together his lame defense. “You run ahaid too fast for me, + ma'am. Supposing he was hit while we were all there together, how was I to + know who did it?” + </p> + <p> + “You knew it couldn't have been you, for he wasn't struck with a revolver. + It couldn't have been dad, since he had his shotgun loaded with buckshot.” + </p> + <p> + “What difference did it make?” he wanted to know impatiently. “Say I'd + have explained till kingdom come that I borrowed the rifle from a friend + five minutes after Faulkner was hit—would anybody have believed me? + Would it have made a bit of difference?” + </p> + <p> + Her shining eyes were more eloquent than a thousand tongues. “I don't say + it would, but there was always the chance. You didn't take it. You would + have let them hang you, without speaking the word that brought me into it. + Why?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm awful obstinate when I get my back up,” he smiled. + </p> + <p> + “That wasn't it. You did it to save a girl you had never seen but once. I + want to know why.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. Have it your own way. But don't ask me to explain the whyfors. + I'm no Harvard professor.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” she said softly. She was not looking at him, but out of the + window, and there were tears in her voice. + </p> + <p> + “Sho! Don't make too much of it. We'll let it go that I ain't all coyote, + after all. But that don't entitle me to any reward of merit. Now, don't + you cry, Miss Arlie. Don't you.” + </p> + <p> + She choked back the tears, and spoke in deep self-scorn. “No! You don't + deserve anything except what you've been getting from me—suspicion + and distrust and hard words! You haven't done anything worth speaking of—just + broke into a quarrel that wasn't yours, at the risk of your life; then + took it on your shoulders to let us escape; and, afterward, when you were + captured, refused to drag me in, because I happen to be a girl! But it's + not worth mentioning that you did all this for strangers, and that later + you did not tell even me, because you knew it would trouble me that I had + killed him, though in self-defense. And to think that all the time I've + been full of hateful suspicions about you! Oh, you don't know how I + despise myself!” + </p> + <p> + She let her head fall upon her arm on the table, and sobbed. + </p> + <p> + Fraser, greatly disturbed, patted gently the heavy coil of blue-black + hair. + </p> + <p> + “Now, don't you, Arlie; don't you. I ain't worth it. Honest, I ain't. I + did what it was up to me to do. Not a thing more. Dick would have done it. + Any of the boys would. Now, let's look at what you've done for me.” + </p> + <p> + From under the arm a muffled voice insisted she had done nothing but + suspect him. + </p> + <p> + “Hold on, girl. Play fair. First off you ride sixty miles to help me when + I'm hunted right hard. You bring me to your home in this valley where + strangers ain't over and above welcome just now. You learn I'm an officer + and still you look out for me and fight for me, till you make friends for + me. It's through you I get started right with the boys. On your say-so + they give me the glad hand. You learn I've lied to you, and two or three + hours later you save my life. You sit there steady, with my haid in your + lap, while some one is plugging away at us. You get me to a house, take + care of my wounds, and hold the fort alone in the night till help comes. + Not only that, but you drive my enemy away. Later, you bring me home, and + nurse me like I was a long-lost brother. What I did for you ain't in the + same class with what you've done for me.” + </p> + <p> + “But I was suspicious of you all the time.” + </p> + <p> + “So you had a right to be. That ain't the point, which is that a girl did + all that for a man she thought might be an enemy and a low-down spy. Men + are expected to take chances like I did, but girls ain't. You took 'em. If + I lived a thousand years, I couldn't tell you all the thanks I feel.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! It makes it worse that you're that kind of a man. But I'm going to + show you whether I trust you.” Her eyes were filled with the glad light of + her resolve. She spoke with a sort of proud humility. “Do you know, there + was a time when I thought you might have—I didn't really believe it, + but I thought it just possible—that you might have come here to get + evidence against the Squaw Creek raiders? You'll despise me, but it's the + truth.” + </p> + <p> + His face lost color. “And now?” he asked quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Now? I would as soon suspect my father—or myself! I'll show you + what I think. The men in it were Jed Briscoe and Yorky and Dick France.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop,” he cried hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “Is it your wound?” she said quickly. + </p> + <p> + “No. That's all right. But you musn't tell——” + </p> + <p> + “I'm telling, to show whether I trust you. Jed and Yorky and Dick and Slim——” + </p> + <p> + She stopped to listen. Her father's voice was calling her. She rose from + her seat. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a moment. There's something I've got to tell you,” the Texan + groaned. + </p> + <p> + “I'll be back in a moment. Dad wants to see me about some letters.” + </p> + <p> + And with that she was gone. Whatever the business was, it detained her + longer than she expected. The minutes slipped away, and still she did not + return. A step sounded in the hall, a door opened, and Jed Briscoe stood + before him. + </p> + <p> + “You're here, are you?” he said. + </p> + <p> + The Texan measured looks with him. “Yes, I'm here.” + </p> + <p> + “Grand-standing still, I reckon.” + </p> + <p> + “If you could only learn to mind your own affairs,” the Texan suggested + evenly. + </p> + <p> + “You'll wish I could before I'm through with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I to thank you for that little courtesy from Bald Knob the other + evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Not directly. At three hundred yards, I could have shot a heap straighter + than that. The fool must have been drunk.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to excuse him. It was beginning to get dark. His intentions + were good.” + </p> + <p> + There was a quick light step behind him, and Arlie came into the room. She + glanced quickly from one to the other, and there was apprehension in her + look. + </p> + <p> + “I've come to see Lieutenant Fraser on business,” Briscoe explained, with + an air patently triumphant. + </p> + <p> + Arlie made no offer to leave the room. “He's hardly up to business yet, is + he?” she asked, as carelessly as she could. + </p> + <p> + “Then we'll give it another name. I'm making a neighborly call to ask how + he is, and to return some things he lost.” + </p> + <p> + Jed's hand went into his pocket and drew forth leisurely a photograph. + This he handed to Arlie right side up, smiling the while, with a kind of + masked deviltry. + </p> + <p> + “Found it in Alec Howard's cabin. Seems your coat was hanging over the + back of a chair, lieutenant, and this and a paper fell out. One of the + boys must have kicked it to one side, and it was overlooked. Later, I ran + across it. So I'm bringing it back to you.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of herself Arlie's eyes fell to the photograph. It was a snapshot + of the ranger and a very attractive young woman. They were smiling into + each other's eyes with a manner of perfect and friendly understanding. To + see it gave Arlie a pang. Flushing at her mistake, she turned the card + over and handed it to the owner. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry. I looked without thinking,” she said in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + Fraser nodded his acceptance of her apology, but his words and his eyes + were for his enemy. “You mentioned something else you had found, seems to + me.” + </p> + <p> + Behind drooping eyelids Jed was malevolently feline. “Seems to me I did.” + </p> + <p> + From his pocket came slowly a folded paper. He opened and looked it over + at leisure before his mocking eyes lifted again to the wounded man. “This + belongs to you, too, but I know you'll excuse me if I keep it to show to + the boys before returning it.” + </p> + <p> + “So you've read it,” Arlie broke in scornfully. + </p> + <p> + He grinned at her, and nodded. “Yes, I've read it, my dear. I had to read + it, to find out whose it was. Taken by and large, it's a right interesting + document, too.” + </p> + <p> + He smiled at the ranger maliciously, yet with a certain catlike pleasure + in tormenting his victim. Arlie began to feel a tightening of her throat, + a sinking of the heart. But Fraser looked at the man with a quiet, + scornful steadfastness. He knew what was coming, and had decided upon his + course. + </p> + <p> + “Seems to be a kind of map, lieutenant. Here's Gimlet Butte and the Half + Way House and Sweetwater Dam and the blasted pine. Looks like it might be + a map from the Butte to this part of the country. Eh, Mr. Fraser from + Texas?” + </p> + <p> + “And if it is?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I should have to ask you how you come by it, seeing as the map is + drawn on Sheriff Brandt's official stationery,” Jed rasped swiftly. + </p> + <p> + “I got it from Sheriff Brandt, Mr. Briscoe, since you want to know. You're + not entitled to the information, but I'll make you a gift of it. He gave + it to me to guide me here.” + </p> + <p> + Even Briscoe was taken aback. He had expected evasion, denial, anything + but a bold acceptance of his challenge. His foe watched the wariness + settle upon him by the narrowing of his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “So the sheriff knew you were coming?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you broke jail. That was the story I had dished up to me.” + </p> + <p> + “I did, with the help of the sheriff.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, with the help of the sheriff? Come to think of it, that sounds right + funny—a sheriff helping his prisoner to escape.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet it is true, as it happens.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't doubt it, lieutenant. Fact is, I had some such notion all the + time. Now, I wonder why-for he took so friendly an interest in you.” + </p> + <p> + “I had a letter of introduction to him from a friend in Texas. When he + knew who I was, he decided he couldn't afford to have me lynched without + trying to save me.” + </p> + <p> + “I see. And the map?” + </p> + <p> + “This was the only part of the country in which I would be safe from + capture. He knew I had a claim on some of the Cedar Mountain people, + because it was to help them I had got into trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I can see that.” Arlie nodded quickly. “Of course, that is just what + the sheriff would think.” + </p> + <p> + “Folks can always see what they want to, Arlie,” Jed commented. “Now, I + can't see all that, by a lot.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't necessary you should, Mr. Briscoe,” Fraser retorted. + </p> + <p> + “Or else I see a good deal more, lieutenant,” Jed returned, with his + smooth smile. “Mebbe the sheriff helped you on your way because you're + such a good detective. He's got ambitions, Brandt has. So has Hilliard, + the prosecuting attorney. Happen to see him, by the way?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + Jed nodded. “I figured you had. Yes, it would be Hilliard worked the + scheme out, I expect.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a good deal of a detective yourself, Mr. Briscoe,” the Texan + laughed hardily. “Perhaps I could get you a job in the rangers.” + </p> + <p> + “There may be a vacancy there soon,” Jed agreed. + </p> + <p> + “What's the use of talking that way, Jed? Are you threatening Mr. Fraser? + If anything happens to him, I'll remember this,” Arlie told him. + </p> + <p> + “Have I mentioned any threats, Arlie? It is well known that Lieutenant + Fraser has enemies here. It don't take a prophet to tell that, after what + happened the other night.” + </p> + <p> + “Any more than it takes a prophet to tell that you are one of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I play my own hand. I don't lie down before him, or any other man. He'd + better not get in my way, unless he's sure he's a better man than I am.” + </p> + <p> + “But he isn't in your way,” Arlie insisted. “He has told a plain story. I + believe every word of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I notice he didn't tell any of his plain story until we proved it on him. + He comes through with his story after he's caught with the goods. Don't + you know that every criminal that is caught has a smooth explanation?” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't any doubt Mr. Briscoe will have one when his turn comes,” the + ranger remarked. + </p> + <p> + Jed wheeled on him. His eyes glittered menace. “You've said one word too + much. I'll give you forty-eight hours to get out of this valley.” + </p> + <p> + “How dare you, Jed—and in my house!” Arlie cried. “I won't have it. + I won't have blood shed between you.” + </p> + <p> + “It's up to him,” answered the cattleman, his jaw set like a vise. + “Persuade him to git out, and there'll be no blood shed.” + </p> + <p> + “You have no right to ask it of him. You ought not——” She + stopped, aware of the futility of urging a moral consideration upon the + man, and fell back upon the practical. “He couldn't travel that soon, even + if he wanted to. He's not strong enough. You know that.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. We'll call it a week. If he's still here a week from to-day, + there will be trouble.” + </p> + <p> + With that, he turned on his heel and left the room. They heard his spurs + trailing across the porch and jingling down the steps, after which they + caught a momentary vision of him, dark and sinister, as his horse flashed + past the window. + </p> + <p> + The ranger smiled, but rather seriously. “The fat's in the fire now, sure + enough, ma'am.” + </p> + <p> + She turned anxiously upon him. “Why did you tell him all that? Why did you + let him go away, believing you were here as a spy to trap him and his + friends?” + </p> + <p> + “I let him have the truth. Anyhow, I couldn't have made good with a + denial. He had the evidence. I can't keep him from believing what he wants + to.” + </p> + <p> + “He'll tell all his friends. He'll exaggerate the facts and stir up + sentiment against you. He'll say you came here as a detective, to get + evidence against the Squaw Creek raiders.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he'll tell the truth!” + </p> + <p> + She took it in slowly, with a gathering horror. “The truth!” she repeated, + almost under her breath. “You don't mean——You can't mean——Are + you here as a spy upon my friends?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know they were your friends when I took the job. If you'll + listen, I'll explain.” + </p> + <p> + Words burst from her in gathering bitterness. + </p> + <p> + “What is there to explain, sir? The facts cry to heaven. I brought you + into this valley, gave you the freedom of our home against my father's + first instinct. I introduced you to my friends, and no doubt they told you + much you wanted to know. They are simple, honest folks, who don't know a + spy when they see one. And I—fool that I am—I vouched for you. + More, I stood between you and the fate you deserved. And, lastly, in my + blind conceit, I have told you the names of the men in the Squaw Creek + trouble. If I had only known—and I had all the evidence, but I was + so blind I would not see you were a snake in the grass.” + </p> + <p> + He put out a hand to stop her, and she drew back as if his touch were + pollution. From the other side of the room, she looked across at him in + bitter scorn. + </p> + <p> + “I shall make arrangements to have you taken out of the valley at once, + sir.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't take the trouble, Miss Arlie. I'm not going out of the + valley. If you'll have me taken to Alec Howard's shack, which is where you + brought me from, I'll be under obligations to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever you are, I'm not going to have your blood on my hands. You've + got to leave the valley.” + </p> + <p> + “I have to thank you for all your kindness to me. If you'd extend it a + trifle further and listen to what I've got to say, I'd be grateful.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't care to hear your excuses. Go quickly, sir, before you meet the + end you deserve, and give up the poor men I have betrayed to you.” She + spoke in a choked voice, as if she could scarce breathe. + </p> + <p> + “If you'd only listen before you——” + </p> + <p> + “I've listened to you too long. I was so sure I knew more than my father, + than my friends. I'll listen no more.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan gave it up. “All right, ma'am. Just as you say. If you'll order + some kind of a rig for me, I'll not trouble you longer. I'm sorry that + it's got to be this way. Maybe some time you'll see it different.” + </p> + <p> + “Never,” she flashed passionately, and fled from the room. + </p> + <p> + He did not see her again before he left. Bobbie came to get him in a light + road trap they had. The boy looked at him askance, as if he knew something + was wrong. Presently they turned a corner and left the ranch shut from + sight in a fold of the hills. + </p> + <p> + At the first division of the road Fraser came to a difference of opinion + with Bobbie. + </p> + <p> + “Arlie said you was going to leave the valley. She told me I was to take + you to Speed's place.” + </p> + <p> + “She misunderstood. I am going to Alec Howard's.” + </p> + <p> + “But that ain't what she told me.” + </p> + <p> + Steve took the reins from him, and turned into the trail that led to + Howard's place. “You can explain to her, Bobbie, that you couldn't make me + see it that way.” + </p> + <p> + An hour later, he descended upon Howard—a big, rawboned ranchman, + who had succumbed quickly to a deep friendship for this “Admirable + Crichton” of the plains. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Steve! Glad to death to see you. Hope you've come to stay, you old + pie eater,” he cried joyously, at sight of the Texan. + </p> + <p> + Fraser got down. “Wait here a moment, Bobbie. I want to have a talk with + Alec. I may go on with you.” + </p> + <p> + They went into the cabin, and Fraser sat down. He was still far from + strong. + </p> + <p> + “What's up, Steve?” the rancher asked. + </p> + <p> + “You asked me to stay, Alec. Before I say whether I will or not, I've got + a story to tell you. After I've told it, you can ask me again if you want + me to stop with you. If you don't ask me, I'll ride off with the boy.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. Fire ahead, old hoss. I'll ask you fast enough.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan told his story from the beginning. Only one thing he omitted—that + Arlie had told him the name of the Squaw Creek raiders. + </p> + <p> + “There are the facts, Alec. You've got them from beginning to end. It's up + to you. Do you want me here?” + </p> + <p> + “Before I answer that, I'll have to put a question myse'f, Steve. Why do + you want to stay? Why not leave the valley while you're still able to?” + </p> + <p> + “Because Jed Briscoe put it up to me that I'd got to leave within a week. + I'll go when I'm good and ready.” + </p> + <p> + Alec nodded his appreciation of the point. “Sure. You don't want to sneak + out, with yore tail betwixt yore laigs. That brings up another question, + Steve. What about the Squaw Creek sheep raiders? Just for argument, we'll + put it that some of them are my friends. You understand—just for + argument. Are you still aiming to run them down?” + </p> + <p> + Fraser met his frank question frankly. “No, Alec, I've had to give up that + notion long since—soon as I began to guess they were friends of Miss + Arlie. I'm going back to tell Hilliard so. But I ain't going to be run out + by Briscoe.” + </p> + <p> + “Good enough. Put her there, son. This shack's yore home till hell freezes + over, Steve.” + </p> + <p> + “You haven't any doubts about me, Alec. If you have, better say so now.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubts? I reckon not. Don't I know a man when I see one? I'm plumb + surprised at Arlie.” He strode to the door, and called to Bobbie: “Roll + along home, son. Yore passenger is going to stay a spell with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I understand what this means, Alec. Jed and his crowd aren't + going to be any too well pleased when they learn you have taken me in. + They may make you trouble,” the ranger said. + </p> + <p> + The big cow man laughed. “Oh, cut it out, Steve. Jed don't have to O. K. + my guest list. Not on yore life. I'm about ready for a ruction with that + young man, anyway. He's too blamed bossy. I ain't wearing his brand. Fact + is, I been having notions this valley has been suffering from too much + Briscoe. Others are sharing that opinion with me. Ask Dick France. Ask + Arlie, for that matter.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid I'm off that young lady's list of friends.” + </p> + <p> + “Sho! She'll come round. She's some hot-haided. It always was her way to + get mad first, and find out why afterward. But don't make any mistake + about her, Steve. She's the salt of the earth, Arlie Dillon is. She + figured it out you wasn't playing it quite on the square with her. Onct + she's milled it around a spell, she'll see things different. I've knowed + her since she was knee-high, and I tell you she's a game little + thoroughbred.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan looked at him a moment, then stared out of the window. + </p> + <p> + “We won't quarrel about that any, Alec. I'll indorse those sentiments, and + then some, even if she did call me a snake in the grass.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII — THE DANCE + </h2> + <p> + The day after Fraser changed his quarters, Dick France rode up to the + Howard ranch. Without alighting, he nodded casually to Alec, and then to + his guest. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Steve! How's the shoulder?” + </p> + <p> + “Fine and dandy.” + </p> + <p> + “You moved, I see.” The puncher grinned. + </p> + <p> + “If you see it for yourself, I'll not attempt to deny it.” + </p> + <p> + “Being stood in the corner some more, looks like! Little Willie been + telling some more lies?” + </p> + <p> + “Come in, Dick, and I'll put you wise.” + </p> + <p> + Steve went over the story again. When he mentioned the Squaw Creek raid, + he observed that his two friends looked quickly at each other and then + away. He saw, however, that Dick took his pledge in regard to the raiders + at face value, without the least question of doubt. He made only one + comment on the situation. + </p> + <p> + “If Jed has served notice that he's going after you, Steve, he'll + ce'tainly back the play. What's more, he won't be any too particular how + he gets you, just so he gets you. He may come a-shooting in the open. + Then, again, he may not. All according to how the notion strikes him.” + </p> + <p> + “That's about it,” agreed Howard. + </p> + <p> + “While it's fresh on my mind, I'll unload some more comfort. You've got an + enemy in this valley you don't know about.” + </p> + <p> + “The one that shot me?” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't been told that. I was to say, 'One enemy more than he knows of.'” + </p> + <p> + “Who told you to say it?” + </p> + <p> + “I was to forget to tell you that, Steve.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I must have a friend more than I know of, too.” + </p> + <p> + “I ain't so sure about that. You might call her a hostile friend.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a lady, then. I can guess who.” + </p> + <p> + “Honest, I didn't mean to tell you, Steve. It slipped out.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't hold it against you.” + </p> + <p> + “She sent for me last night, and this morning I dropped round. Now, what + do you reckon she wanted with me?” + </p> + <p> + “Give it up.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm to take a day off and ride around among the boys, so as to see them + before Jed does. I'm to load 'em up with misrepresentations about how you + and the sheriff happen to be working in cahoots. I gathered that the lady + is through with you, but she don't want your scalp collected by the boys.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm learning to be thankful for small favors,” Fraser said dryly. “She + figures me up a skunk, but hates to have me massacreed in her back yard. + Ain't that about it, Dick?” + </p> + <p> + “Somewheres betwixt and between,” France nodded. “Say, you lads going to + the dance at Millikan's?” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't know there was one.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure. Big doings. Monday night. Always have a dance after the spring + round-up. Jed and his friends will be there—that ought to fetch + you!” Dick grinned. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't noticed any pressing invitation to my address yet,” said Steve. + </p> + <p> + “I'm extending it right now. Millikan told me to pass the word among the + boys. Everybody and his neighbor invited.” Dick lit a cigar, and gathered + up his reins. “So-long, boys. I got to be going.” Over his shoulder he + fired another joyous shot as he cantered away. “I reckon that hostile + friend will be there, too, Steve, if that's any inducement.” + </p> + <p> + Whether it was an inducement is not a matter of record, but certain it is + that the Texan found it easy to decide to go. Everybody in the valley + would be there, and absence on his part would be construed as weakness, + even as a confession of guilt. He had often observed that a man's friends + are strong for him only when he is strong for himself. + </p> + <p> + Howard and his guest drove to Millikan's Draw, for the wound of the latter + was still too new to stand so long a horseback ride. They arrived late, + and the dance was already in full swing. As they stabled and fed the team, + they could hear the high notes of the fiddles and the singsong chant of + the caller. + </p> + <p> + “Alemane left. Right han' t'yer pardner, an' gran' right and left. + Ev-v-rybody swing.” + </p> + <p> + The ranch house was a large one, the most pretentious in the valley. A + large hall opened into a living room and a dining room, by means of large + double doors, which had been drawn back, so as to make one room of them. + </p> + <p> + As they pushed their way through the crowd of rough young fellows who + clustered round the door, as if afraid their escape might be cut off, + Fraser observed that the floor was already crowded with dancers. + </p> + <p> + The quadrille came to an end as he arrived, and, after they had seated + their partners, red-faced perspiring young punchers swelled the knot + around the door. + </p> + <p> + Alec stayed to chaff with them, while the Texan sauntered across the floor + and took a seat on one of the benches which lined the walls. As he did so, + a man and his partner, so busy in talk with each other that they had not + observed who he was, sat down beside him in such position that the young + woman was next him. Without having looked directly at either of them, + Fraser knew that the girl was Arlie Dillon, and her escort Jed Briscoe. + She had her back half turned toward him, so that, even after she was + seated she did not recognize her neighbor. + </p> + <p> + Steve smiled pleasantly, and became absorbed in a rather noisy bout of + repartee going on between one swain and his lass, not so absorbed, + however, as not to notice that he and his unconscious neighbors were + becoming a covert focus of attention. He had already noticed a shade of + self-consciousness in the greeting of those whom he met, a hint of a + suggestion that he was on trial. Among some this feeling was evidently + more pronounced. He met more than one pair of eyes that gave back to his + genial nod cold hostility. + </p> + <p> + At such an affair as this, Jed Briscoe was always at his best. He was one + of the few men in the valley who knew how to waltz well, and music and + rhythm always brought out in him a gay charm women liked. His lithe grace, + his assurance, his ease of manner and speech, always differentiated him + from the other ranchmen. + </p> + <p> + No wonder rumor had coupled his name with that of Arlie as her future + husband. He knew how to make light love by implication, to skate around + the subject skilfully and boldly with innuendo and suggestion. + </p> + <p> + Arlie knew him for what he was—a man passionate and revengeful, the + leader of that side of the valley's life which she deplored. She did not + trust him. Nevertheless, she felt his fascination. He made that appeal to + her which a graceless young villain often does to a good woman who lets + herself become interested in trying to understand the sinner and his sins. + There was another reason why just now she showed him special favor. She + wanted to blunt the edge of his anger against the Texan ranger, though her + reason for this she did not admit even to herself. + </p> + <p> + She had—oh, she was quite sure of this—no longer any interest + in Fraser except the impersonal desire to save his life. Having thought it + all over, she was convinced that her friends had nothing to fear from him + as a spy. That was what he had tried to tell her when she would not + listen. + </p> + <p> + Deep in her heart she knew why she had not listened. It had to do with + that picture of a pretty girl smiling up happily into his eyes—a + thing she had not forgotten for one waking moment since. Like a knife the + certainty had stabbed her heart that they were lovers. Her experience had + been limited. Kodaks had not yet reached Lost Valley as common + possessions. In the mountains no girl had her photograph taken beside a + man unless they had a special interest in each other. And the manner of + these two had implied the possession of a secret not known to the world. + </p> + <p> + So Arlie froze her heart toward the Texan, all the more because he had + touched her girlish imagination to sweet hidden dreams of which her + innocence had been unnecessarily ashamed. He had spoken no love to her, + nor had he implied it exactly. There had been times she had thought + something more than friendship lay under his warm smile. But now she + scourged herself for her folly, believed she had been unmaidenly, and set + her heart to be like flint against him. She had been ready to give him + what he had not wanted. Before she would let him guess it she would rather + die, a thousand times rather, she told herself passionately. + </p> + <p> + She presently became aware that attention was being directed toward her + and Jed and somebody who sat on the other side of her. Without looking + round, she mentioned the fact in a low voice to her partner of the dance + just finished. Jed looked up, and for the first time observed the man + behind her. Instantly the gayety was sponged from his face. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “That man from Texas.” + </p> + <p> + Arlie felt the blood sting her cheeks. The musicians were just starting a + waltz. She leaned slightly toward Jed, and said, in a low voice: + </p> + <p> + “Did you ask me to dance this with you?” + </p> + <p> + He had not, but he did now. He got to his feet, with shining eyes, and + whirled her off. The girl did not look toward the Texan. Nevertheless, as + they circled the room, she was constantly aware of him. Sitting there, + with a smile on his strong face, apparently unperturbed, he gave no hint + of the stern fact that he was circled by enemies, any one of whom might + carry his death in a hip pocket. His gaze was serene, unabashed, even + amused. + </p> + <p> + The young woman was irritably suspicious that he found her anger amusing, + just as he seemed to find the dangerous position in which he was placed. + Yet her resentment coexisted with a sympathy for him that would not down. + She believed he was marked for death by a coterie of those present, chief + of whom was the man smiling down into her face from half-shut, smouldering + eyes. + </p> + <p> + Her heart was a flame of protest against their decree, all the more so + because she held herself partly responsible for it. In a panic of + repentance, she had told Dick of her confession to the ranger of the names + of the Squaw Creek raiders, and France had warned his confederates. He had + done this, not because he distrusted Fraser, but because he felt it was + their due to get a chance to escape if they wanted to do so. + </p> + <p> + Always a creature of impulse, Arlie had repented her repentance when too + late. Now she would have fought to save the Texan, but the horror of it + was that she could not guess how the blow would fall. She tried to believe + he was safe, at least until the week was up. + </p> + <p> + When Dick strolled across the floor, sat down beside Steve, and began + casually to chat with him, she could have thanked the boy with tears. It + was equivalent to a public declaration of his intentions. At least, the + ranger was not friendless. One of the raiders was going to stand by him. + Besides Dick, he might count on Howard; perhaps on others. + </p> + <p> + Jed was in high good humor. All along the line he seemed to be winning. + Arlie had discarded this intruder from Texas and was showing herself very + friendly to the cattleman. The suspicion of Fraser which he had + disseminated was bearing fruit; and so, more potently, was the word the + girl had dropped incautiously. He had only to wait in order to see his + rival wiped out. So that, when Arlie put in her little plea, he felt it + would not cost him anything to affect a large generosity. + </p> + <p> + “Let him go, Jed. He is discredited. Folks are all on their guard before + him now. He can't do any harm here. Dick says he is only waiting out his + week because of your threat. Don't make trouble. Let him sneak back home, + like a whipped cur,” she begged. + </p> + <p> + “I don't want any trouble with him, girl. All I ask is that he leave the + valley. Let Dick arrange that, and I'll give him a chance.” + </p> + <p> + She thanked him, with a look that said more than words. + </p> + <p> + It was two hours later, when she was waltzing with Jed again, that Arlie + caught sight of a face that disturbed her greatly. It was a countenance + disfigured by a ragged scar, running from the bridge of the nose. She had + last seen it gazing into the window of Alec Howard's cabin on a certain + never-to-be-forgotten night. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that man—the one leaning against the door jamb, just behind + Slim Leroy?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “He's a fellow that calls himself Johnson. His real name is Struve,” Jed + answered carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “He's the man that shot the Texas lieutenant,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I dare say. He's got a good reason for shooting him. The man broke out of + the Arizona penitentiary, and Fraser came north to rearrest him. At least, + that's my guess. He wouldn't have been here to-night if he hadn't figured + Fraser too sick to come. Watch him duck when he learns the ranger's here.” + </p> + <p> + At the first opportunity Arlie signaled to Dick that she wanted to see + him. Fraser, she observed, was no longer in the dancing rooms. Dick took + her out from the hot room to the porch. + </p> + <p> + “Let's walk a little, Dick. I want to tell you something.” + </p> + <p> + They sauntered toward the fine grove of pines that ran up the hillside + back of the house. + </p> + <p> + “Did you notice that man with the scar, Dick?” she presently asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I ain't seen him before. Must be one of the Rabbit Run guys, I take + it.” + </p> + <p> + “I've seen him. He's the man that shot your friend. He was the man I shot + at when he looked in the window.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure, Arlie?” + </p> + <p> + “Dead sure, Dick. He's an escaped convict, and he has a grudge at your + friend. He is afraid of him, too. Look out for Lieutenant Fraser to-night. + Don't let him wander around outside. If he does, there may be murder + done.” + </p> + <p> + Even as she spoke, there came a sound from the wooded hillside—the + sound of a stifled cry, followed by an imprecation and the heavy shuffling + of feet. + </p> + <p> + “Listen, Dick!” + </p> + <p> + For an instant he listened. Then: “There's trouble in the grove, and I'm + not armed,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind! Go—go!” she shrieked, pushing him forward. + </p> + <p> + For herself, she turned, and ran like a deer for the house. + </p> + <p> + Siegfried was sitting on the porch, whittling a stick. + </p> + <p> + “They—they're killing Steve—in the grove,” she panted. + </p> + <p> + Without a word he rolled off, like a buffalo cow, toward the scene of + action. + </p> + <p> + Arlie pushed into the house and called for Jed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII — THE WOLF HOWLS + </h2> + <p> + As Steve strolled out into the moonlight, he left behind him the + monotonous thumping of heavy feet and the singsong voice of the caller. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Birdie fly out, + Crow hop in, + Join all hands + And circle ag'in.” + </pre> + <p> + came to him, in the high, strident voice of Lute Perkins. He took a deep + breath of fresh, clean air, and looked about him. After the hot, dusty + room, the grove, with its green foliage, through which the moonlight + filtered, looked invitingly cool. He sauntered forward, climbed the hill + up which the wooded patch straggled, and sat down, with his back to a + pine. + </p> + <p> + Behind the valley rampart, he could see the dim, saw-toothed Teton peaks, + looking like ghostly shapes in the moonlight. The night was peaceful. + Faint and mellow came the sound of jovial romping from the house; + otherwise, beneath the distant stars, a perfect stillness held. + </p> + <p> + How long he sat there, letting thoughts happen dreamily rather than + producing them of gray matter, he did not know. A slight sound, the + snapping of a twig, brought his mind to alertness without causing the + slightest movement of his body. + </p> + <p> + His first thought was that, in accordance with dance etiquette in the + ranch country, his revolver was in its holster under the seat of the trap + in which they had driven over. Since his week was not up, he had expected + no attack from Jed and his friends. As for the enemy, of whom Arlie had + advised him, surely a public dance was the last place to tempt one who + apparently preferred to attack from cover. But his instinct was certain. + He did not need to look round to know he was trapped. + </p> + <p> + “I'm unarmed. You'd better come round and shoot me from in front. It will + look better at the inquest,” he said quietly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't move. You're surrounded,” a voice answered. + </p> + <p> + A rope snaked forward and descended over the ranger's head, to be jerked + tight, with a suddenness that sent a pain like a knife thrust through the + wounded shoulder. The instinct for self-preservation was already at work + in him. He fought his left arm free from the rope that pressed it to his + side, and dived toward the figure at the end of the rope. Even as he + plunged, he found time to be surprised that no revolver shot echoed + through the night, and to know that the reason was because his enemies + preferred to do their work in silence. + </p> + <p> + The man upon whom he leaped gave a startled oath and stumbled backward + over a root. + </p> + <p> + Fraser, his hand already upon the man's throat, went down too. Upon him + charged men from all directions. In the shadows, they must have hampered + each other, for the ranger, despite his wound—his shoulder was + screaming with pain—got to his knees, and slowly from his knees to + his feet, shaking the clinging bodies from him. + </p> + <p> + Wrenching his other hand from under the rope, he fought them back as a + hurt grizzly does the wolf pack gathered for the kill. None but a very + powerful man could ever have reached his feet. None less agile and sinewy + than a panther could have beaten them back as at first he did. They fought + in grim silence, yet the grove was full of the sounds of battle. The heavy + breathing, the beat of shifting feet, the soft impact of flesh striking + flesh, the thud of falling bodies—of these the air was vocal. Yet, + save for the gasps of sudden pain, no man broke silence save once. + </p> + <p> + “The snake'll get away yet!” a hoarse voice cried, not loudly, but with an + emphasis that indicated strong conviction. + </p> + <p> + Impossible as it seemed, the ranger might have done it but for an + accident. In the struggle, the rope had slipped to a point just below his + knees. Fighting his way down the hill, foot by foot, the Texan felt the + rope tighten. One of his attackers flung himself against his chest and he + was tripped. The pack was on him again. Here there was more light, and + though for a time the mass swayed back and forth, at last they hammered + him down by main strength. He was bound hand and foot, and dragged back to + the grove. + </p> + <p> + They faced their victim, panting deeply from their exertions. Fraser + looked round upon the circle of distorted faces, and stopped at one. Seen + now, with the fury and malignancy of its triumph painted upon it, the face + was one to bring bad dreams. + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant, his chest still laboring heavily, racked with the torture + of his torn shoulder, looked into that face out of the only calm eyes in + the group. + </p> + <p> + “So it's you, Struve?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it's me—me and my friends.” + </p> + <p> + “I've been looking for you high and low.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you've found me,” came the immediate exultant answer. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon I'm indebted to you for this.” Fraser moved his shoulder + slightly. + </p> + <p> + “You'll owe me a heap more than that before the night's over.” + </p> + <p> + “Your intentions were good then, I expect. Being shy a trigger finger + spoils a man's aim.” + </p> + <p> + “Not always.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't like to risk another shot from Bald Knob, eh? Must be some + discouraging to hit only once out of three times at three hundred yards, + and a scratch at that.” + </p> + <p> + The convict swore. “I'll not miss this time, Mr. Lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “You'd better not, or I'll take you back to the penitentiary where I put + you before.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll never put another man there, you meddling spy,” Struve cried + furiously. + </p> + <p> + “I'm not so sure of that. I know what you've got against me, but I should + like to know what kick your friends have coming,” the ranger retorted. + </p> + <p> + “You may have mine, right off the reel, Mr. Fraser, or whatever you call + yourself. You came into this valley with a lie on your lips. We played you + for a friend, and you played us for suckers. All the time you was in a + deal with the sheriff for you know what. I hate a spy like I do a + rattlesnake.” + </p> + <p> + It was the man Yorky that spoke. Steve's eyes met his. + </p> + <p> + “So I'm a spy, am I?” + </p> + <p> + “You know best.” + </p> + <p> + “Anyhow, you're going to shoot me first, and find out afterward?” + </p> + <p> + “Wrong guess. We're going to hang you.” Struve, unable to keep back longer + his bitter spleen, hissed this at him. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that's about your size, Struve. You can crow loud now, when the odds + are six to one, with the one unarmed and tied at that. But what I want to + know is—are you playing fair with your friends? Have you told them + that every man in to-night's business will hang, sure as fate? Have you + told them of those cowardly murders you did in Arizona and Texas? Have you + told them that your life is forfeit, anyway? Do they know you're trying to + drag them into your troubles? No? You didn't tell them that. I'm surprised + at you, Struve.” + </p> + <p> + “My name's Johnson.” + </p> + <p> + “Not in Arizona, it isn't. Wolf Struve it is there, wanted for murder and + other sundries.” He turned swiftly from him to his confederates. “You + fools, you're putting your heads into a noose. He's in already, and wants + you in, too. Test him. Throw the end of that rope over the limb, and stand + back, while he pulls me up alone. He daren't—not for his life, he + daren't. He knows that whoever pulls on that rope hangs himself as surely + as he hangs me.” + </p> + <p> + The men looked at each other, and at Struve. Were they being led into + trouble to pay this man's scores off for him? Suspicion stirred uneasily + in them. + </p> + <p> + “That's right, too. Let Johnson pull him up,” Slim Leroy said sullenly. + </p> + <p> + “Sure. You've got more at stake than we have. It's up to you, Johnson,” + Yorky agreed. + </p> + <p> + “That's right,” a third chipped in. + </p> + <p> + “We'll all pull together, boys,” Struve insinuated. “It's only a bluff of + his. Don't let him scare you off.” + </p> + <p> + “He ain't scaring me off any,” declared Yorky. “He's a spy, and he's + getting what is coming to him. But you're a stranger too, Johnson. I don't + trust you any—not any farther than I can see you, my friend. I'll + stand for being an aider and abettor, but I reckon if there's any hanging + to be done you'll have to be the sheriff,” replied Yorky stiffly. + </p> + <p> + Struve turned his sinister face on one and another of them. His lips were + drawn back, so that the wolfish teeth gleamed in the moonlight. He felt + himself being driven into a trap, from which there was no escape. He dared + not let Fraser go with his life, for he knew that, sooner or later, the + ranger would run him to earth, and drag him back to the punishment that + was awaiting him in the South. Nor did he want to shoulder the + responsibility of murdering this man before five witnesses. + </p> + <p> + Came the sound of running footsteps. + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” asked Slim nervously. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you, Steve?” called a voice. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” the ranger shouted back. + </p> + <p> + A moment later Dick France burst into the group. “What's doing?” he + panted. + </p> + <p> + The ranger laughed hardily. “Nothing, Dick. Nothing at all. Some of the + boys had notions of a necktie party, but they're a little shy of sand. + Have you met Mr. Struve, Dick? I know you're acquainted with the others, + Mr. Struve is from Yuma. An old friend of mine. Fact is, I induced him to + locate at Yuma.” + </p> + <p> + Dick caught at the rope, but Yorky flung him roughly back. + </p> + <p> + “This ain't your put in, France,” he said. “It's up to Johnson.” And to + the latter: “Get busy, if you're going to.” + </p> + <p> + “He's a spy on you-all, just the same as he is on me,” blurted the + convict. + </p> + <p> + “That's a lie, Struve,” pronounced the lieutenant evenly. “I'm going to + take you back with me, but I've got nothing against these men. I want to + announce right now, no matter who tells a different story, that I haven't + lost any Squaw Creek raiders and I'm not hunting any.” + </p> + <p> + “You hear? He came into this valley after me.” + </p> + <p> + “Wrong again, Struve. I didn't know you were here. But I know now, and I + serve notice that I'm going to take you back with me, dead or alive. + That's what I'm paid for, and that's what I'm going to do.” + </p> + <p> + It was amazing to hear this man, with a rope round his neck, announce + calmly what he was going to do to the man who had only to pull that rope + to send him into eternity. The very audacity of it had its effect. + </p> + <p> + Slim spoke up. “I don't reckon we better go any farther with this thing, + Yorky.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't reckon you had,” cut in Dick sharply. “I'll not stand for + it.” + </p> + <p> + Again the footsteps of a running man reached them. It was Siegfried. He + plunged into the group like a wild bull, shook the hair out of his eyes, + and planted himself beside Fraser. With one backward buffet of his great + arm he sent Johnson heels over head. He caught Yorky by the shoulders, + strong man though the latter was, and shook him till his teeth rattled, + after which he flung him reeling a dozen yards to the ground. The + Norwegian was reaching for Dick when Fraser stopped him. + </p> + <p> + “That's enough of a clean-up right now, Sig. Dick butted in like you to + help me,” he explained. + </p> + <p> + “The durned coyotes!” roared the big Norseman furiously, leaping at Leroy + and tossing him over his head as an enraged bull does. He turned upon the + other three, shaking his tangled mane, but they were already in flight. + </p> + <p> + “I'll show them. I'll show them,” he kept saying as he came back to the + man he had rescued. + </p> + <p> + “You've showed them plenty, Sig. Cut out the rough house before you maim + some of these gents who didn't invite you to their party.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger felt the earth sway beneath him as he spoke. His wound had been + torn loose in the fight, and was bleeding. Limply he leaned against the + tree for support. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment he caught sight of Arlie and Briscoe as they ran up. + Involuntarily he straightened almost jauntily. The girl looked at him with + that deep, eager look of fear he had seen before, and met that + unconquerable smile of his. + </p> + <p> + The rope was still round his neck and the coat was stripped from his back. + He was white to the lips, and she could see he could scarce stand, even + with the support of the pine trunk. His face was bruised and battered. His + hat was gone; and hidden somewhere in his crisp short hair was a cut from + which blood dripped to the forehead. The bound arm had been torn from its + bandages in the unequal battle he had fought. But for all his desperate + plight he still carried the invincible look that nothing less than death + can rob some men of. + </p> + <p> + The fretted moonlight, shifting with the gentle motion of the foliage + above, fell full upon him now and showed a wet, red stain against the + white shirt. Simultaneously outraged nature collapsed, and he began to + sink to the ground. + </p> + <p> + Arlie gave a little cry and ran forward. Before he reached the ground he + had fainted; yet scarcely before she was on her knees beside him with his + head in her arms. + </p> + <p> + “Bring water, Dick, and tell Doc Lee to come at once. He'll be in the back + room smoking. Hurry!” She looked fiercely round upon the men assembled. “I + think they have killed him. Who did this? Was it you, Yorky? Was it you + that murdered him?” + </p> + <p> + “I bane t'ink it take von hoondred of them to do it,” said Siegfried. “Dat + fallar, Johnson, he bane at the bottom of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why didn't you kill him? Aren't you Steve's friend? Didn't he save + your life?” she panted, passion burning in her beautiful eyes. + </p> + <p> + Siegfried nodded. “I bane Steve's friend, yah! And Ay bane kill Johnson + eef Steve dies.” + </p> + <p> + Briscoe, furious at this turn of the tide which had swept Arlie's + sympathies back to his enemy, followed Struve as he sneaked deeper into + the shadow of the trees. The convict was nursing a sprained wrist when Jed + reached him. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think you've been trying to do, you sap-headed idiot?” Jed + demanded. “Haven't you sense enough to choose a better time than one when + the whole settlement is gathered to help him? And can't you ever make a + clean job of it, you chuckle-minded son of a greaser?” + </p> + <p> + Struve turned, snarling, on him. “That'll be enough from you, Briscoe. + I've stood about all I'm going to stand just now.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll stand for whatever I say,” retorted Jed. “You've cooked your goose + in this valley by to-night's fool play. I'm the only man that can pull you + through. Bite on that fact, Mr. Struve, before you unload your bile on + me.” + </p> + <p> + The convict's heart sank. He felt it to be the truth. The last thing he + had heard was Siegfried's threat to kill him. + </p> + <p> + Whether Fraser lived or died he was in a precarious position and he knew + it. + </p> + <p> + “I know you're my friend, Jed,” he whined. “I'll do what you say. Stand by + me and I'll sure work with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then if you take my advice you'll sneak down to the corral, get your + horse, and light out for the run. Lie there till I see you.” + </p> + <p> + “And Siegfried?” + </p> + <p> + “The Swede won't trouble you unless this Texan dies. I'll send you word in + time if he does.” + </p> + <p> + Later a skulking shadow sneaked into the corral and out again. Once out of + hearing, it leaped to the back of the horse and galloped wildly into the + night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV — HOWARD EXPLAINS + </h2> + <p> + Two horsemen rode into Millikan's Draw and drew up in front of the big + ranch house. To the girl who stepped to the porch to meet them they gave + friendly greeting. One of them asked: + </p> + <p> + “How're things coming, Arlie?” + </p> + <p> + “Better and better every day, Dick. Yesterday the doctor said he was out + of danger.” + </p> + <p> + “It's been a tough fight for Steve,” the other broke in. “Proper nursing + is what pulled him through. Doc says so.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he say that, Alec? I'll always think it was doc. He fought for that + life mighty hard, boys.” + </p> + <p> + Alec Howard nodded: “Doc Lee's the stuff. Here he comes now, talking of + angels.” + </p> + <p> + Doctor Lee dismounted and grinned. “Which of you lads is she making love + to now?” + </p> + <p> + Arlie laughed. “He can't understand that I don't make love to anybody but + him,” she explained to the younger men. + </p> + <p> + “She never did to me, doc,” Dick said regretfully. + </p> + <p> + “No, we were just talking about you, doc.” + </p> + <p> + “Fire ahead, young woman,” said the doctor, with assumed severity. “I'm + here to defend myself now.” + </p> + <p> + “Alec was calling you an angel, and I was laughing at him,” said the girl + demurely. + </p> + <p> + “An angel—huh!” he snorted. + </p> + <p> + “I never knew an angel that chewed tobacco, or one that could swear the + way you do when you're mad,” continued Arlie. + </p> + <p> + “I don't reckon your acquaintance with angels is much greater than mine, + Miss Arlie Dillon. How's the patient?” + </p> + <p> + “He's always wanting something to eat, and he's cross as a bear.” + </p> + <p> + “Good for him! Give him two weeks now and he'll be ready to whip his + weight in wild cats.” + </p> + <p> + The doctor disappeared within, and presently they could hear his loud, + cheerful voice pretending to berate the patient. + </p> + <p> + Arlie sat down on the top step of the porch. + </p> + <p> + “Boys, I don't know what I would have done if he had died. It would have + been all my fault. I had no business to tell him the names of you boys + that rode in the raid, and afterward to tell you that I told him,” she + accused herself. + </p> + <p> + “No, you had no business to tell him, though it happens he's safe as a + bank vault,” Howard commented. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know how I came to do it,” the girl continued. “Jed had made me + suspicious of him, and then I found out something fine he had done for me. + I wanted him to know I trusted him. That was the first thing I thought of, + and I told it. He tried to stop me, but I'm such an impulsive little + fool.” + </p> + <p> + “We all make breaks, Arlie. You'll not do it again, anyhow,” France + comforted. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Lee presently came out and pronounced that the wounded man was + doing well. “Wants to see you boys. Don't stay more than half an hour. If + they get in your way, sweep 'em out, Arlie.” + </p> + <p> + The cowpunchers entered the sick room with the subdued, gingerly tread of + professional undertakers. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't so had as that yet, boys,” the patient laughed. “You're allowed + to speak above a whisper. Doc thinks I'll last till night, mebbe, if I'm + careful.” + </p> + <p> + They told him all the gossip of the range—how young Ford had run off + with Sallie Laundon and got married to her down at the Butte; how + Siegfried had gone up and down the valley swearing he would clean out Jack + Rabbit Run if Steve died; how Johnson had had another row with Jed and had + chosen to take water rather than draw. Both of his visitors, however, had + something on their minds they found some difficulty in expressing. + </p> + <p> + Alec Howard finally broached it. + </p> + <p> + “Arlie told you the names of some of the boys that were in the Squaw Creek + sheep raid. She made a mistake in telling you anything, but we'll let that + go in the discard. It ain't necessary that you should know the names of + the others, but I'm going to tell you one of them, Steve.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't want to know.” + </p> + <p> + “This is my say-so. His name is Alec Howard.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sorry to hear that, Alec. I don't know why you have told me.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I want you to know the facts of that raid, Steve. No killing was + on the program. That came about in a way none of us could foresee.” + </p> + <p> + “This is how it was, Steve,” explained Dick. “Word came that Campeau was + going to move his sheep into the Squaw Creek district. Sheep never had run + there. It was understood the range there was for our cattle. We had set a + dead line, and warned them not to cross it. Naturally, it made us sore + when we heard about Campeau. + </p> + <p> + “So some of us gathered together hastily and rode over. Our intentions + were declared. We meant to drive the sheep back and patrol the dead line. + It was solemnly agreed that there was to be no shooting, not even of + sheep.” + </p> + <p> + The story halted here for a moment before Howard took it up again. “Things + don't always come out the way you figure them. We didn't anticipate any + trouble. We outnumbered them two to one. We had the advantage of the + surprise. You couldn't guess that for anything but a cinch, could you?” + </p> + <p> + “And it turned out different?” + </p> + <p> + “One of us stumbled over a rock as we were creeping forward. Campeau heard + us and drew. The first shot came from them. Now, I'm going to tell you + something you're to keep under your own hat. It will surprise you a heap + when I tell you that one man on our side did all the damage. He was at the + haid of the line, and it happens he is a dead shot. He is liable to rages, + when he acts like a crazy man. He got one now. Before we could put a + stopper on him, he had killed Campeau and Jennings, and wounded the + herders. The whole thing was done before you could wink an eye six times. + For just about that long we stood there like roped calves. Then we downed + the man in his tracks, slammed him with the butt of a revolver.” + </p> + <p> + Howard stopped and looked at the ranger before he spoke again. His voice + was rough and hoarse. + </p> + <p> + “Steve, I've seen men killed before, but I never saw anything so awful as + that. It was just like they had been struck by lightning for suddenness. + There was that devil scattering death among them and the poor fellows + crumpling up like rabbits. I tell you every time I think of it the thing + makes me sick.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger nodded. He understood. The picture rose before him of a man in + a Berserk rage, stark mad for the moment, playing Destiny on that lonely, + moonlit hill. The face his instinct fitted to the irresponsible murderer + was that of Jed Briscoe. Somehow he was sure of that, beyond the shadow of + a doubt. His imagination conceived that long ride back across the hills, + the deep agonies of silence, the fierce moments of vindictive accusation. + No doubt for long the tug of conscience was with them in all their waking + hours, for these men were mostly simple-minded cattlemen caught in the web + of evil chance. + </p> + <p> + “That's how it was, Steve. In as long as it takes to empty a Winchester, + we were every one of us guilty of a murder we'd each have given a laig to + have stopped. We were all in it, all tied together, because we had broke + the law to go raiding in the first place. Technically, the man that + emptied that rifle wasn't any more guilty than us poor wretches that stood + frozen there while he did it. Put it that we might shave the gallows, even + then the penitentiary would bury us. There was only one thing to do. We + agreed to stand together, and keep mum.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that why you're telling me, Alec?” Fraser smiled. + </p> + <p> + “We ain't telling you, not legally,” the cow-puncher answered coolly. “If + you was ever to say we had, Dick and me would deny it. But we ain't + worrying any about you telling it. You're a clam, and we know it. No, + we're telling you, son, because we want you to know about how it was. The + boys didn't ride out to do murder. They rode out simply to drive the sheep + off their range.” + </p> + <p> + The Texan nodded. “That's about how I figured it. I'm glad you told me, + boys. I reckon I don't need to tell you I'm padlocked in regard to this.” + </p> + <p> + Arlie came to the door and looked in. “It's time you boys were going. Doc + said a half hour.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Arlie,” responded Dick. “So-long, Steve. Be good, you old pie + eater.” + </p> + <p> + After they had gone, the Texan lay silent for a long time. He understood + perfectly their motive in telling him the story. They had not compromised + themselves legally, since a denial would have given them two to one in the + matter of witnesses. But they wished him to see that, morally, every man + but one who rode on that raid was guiltless of the Squaw Creek murders. + </p> + <p> + Arlie came in presently, and sat down near the window with some + embroidery. + </p> + <p> + “Did the boys tire you?” she asked, noting his unusual silence. + </p> + <p> + “No. I was thinking about what they told me. They were giving me the + inside facts of the Squaw Creek raid.” + </p> + <p> + She looked up in surprise. “They were?” A little smile began to dimple the + corners of her mouth. “That's funny, because they had just got through + forgiving me for what I told you.” + </p> + <p> + “What they told me was how the shooting occurred.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know anything about that. When I told you their names I was only + telling what I had heard people whisper. That's all I knew.” + </p> + <p> + “You've been troubled because your friends were in this, haven't you? You + hated to think it of them, didn't you?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. It has troubled me a lot.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let it trouble you any more. One man was responsible for all the + bloodshed. He went mad and saw red for half a minute. Before the rest + could stop him, the slaughter was done. The other boys aren't guilty of + that, any more than you or I.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm glad—I'm glad,” she cried softly. Then, looking up quickly + to him: “Who was the man?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know. It is better that neither of us should know that.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad the boys told you. It shows they trust you.” + </p> + <p> + “They figure me out a white man,” he answered carelessly. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! That's where I made my mistake.” She looked at him bravely, though + the color began to beat into her cheeks beneath the dusky tan. “Yet I knew + it all the time—in my heart. At least, after I had given myself time + to think it over. I knew you couldn't be that. If I had given you time to + explain—but I always think too late.” + </p> + <p> + His eyes, usually so clear and steely, softened at her words. “I'm + satisfied if you knew—in your heart.” + </p> + <p> + “I meant——” she began, with a flush. + </p> + <p> + “Now, don't spoil it, please,” he begged. + </p> + <p> + Under his steady, half-smiling gaze, her eyes fell. Two weeks ago she had + been a splendid young creature, as untaught of life as one of the wild + forest animals and as unconsciously eager for it. But there had come a + change over her, a birth of womanhood from that night when she had stood + between Stephen Fraser and death. No doubt she would often regret it, but + she had begun to live more deeply. She could never go back to the + care-free days when she could look all men in the face with candid, + girlish eyes. The time had come to her, as it must to all sensitive of + life, when she must drink of it, whether she would or no. + </p> + <p> + “Because I'd rather you would know it in your heart than in your mind,” he + said. + </p> + <p> + Something sweet and terrifying, with the tingle and warmth of rare wine in + it, began to glow in her veins. Eyes shy, eager, frightened, met his for + an instant. Then she remembered the other girl. Something hard as steel + ran through her. She turned on her heel and left the room. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV — THE TEXAN PAYS A VISIT + </h2> + <p> + From that day Fraser had a new nurse. Arlie disappeared, and her aunt + replaced her a few hours later and took charge of the patient. Steve took + her desertion as an irritable convalescent does, but he did not let his + disappointment make him unpleasant to Miss Ruth Dillon. + </p> + <p> + “I'm a chump,” he told himself, with deep disgust. “Hadn't any more sense + than to go scaring off the little girl by handing out a line of talk she + ain't used to. I reckon now she's done with me proper.” + </p> + <p> + He continued to improve so rapidly that within the prescribed two weeks he + was on horseback again, though still a little weak and washed out. His + first ride of any length was to the Dillon ranch. Siegfried accompanied + him, and across the Norwegian's saddle lay a very business-like rifle. + </p> + <p> + As they were passing the mouth of a cañon, the ranger put a casual + question: “This Jack Rabbit Run, Sig?” + </p> + <p> + “Yah. More men wanted bane lost in that gulch than any place Ay knows of.” + </p> + <p> + “That so? I'm going in there to-morrow to find that man Struve,” his + friend announced carelessly. + </p> + <p> + The big blonde giant looked at him. “Yuh bain't, Steve? Why, yuh bain't + fit to tackle a den uh wild cats.” An admiring grin lit the Norwegian's + face. “Durn my hide, yuh've got 'em all skinned for grit, Steve. Uh + course, Ay bane goin' with yuh.” + </p> + <p> + “If it won't get you in bad with your friends I'll be glad to have you, + Sig.” + </p> + <p> + “They bain't my friends. Ay bane shook them, an' served notice to that + effect.” + </p> + <p> + “Glad of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yuh bane goin' in after Struve only?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. He's the only man I want.” + </p> + <p> + “Then Ay bane go in, and bring heem out to yuh.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser shook his head. “No, old man, I've got to play my own hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay t'ink it be a lot safer f'r me to happen in an' get heem,” + remonstrated Siegfried. + </p> + <p> + “Safer for me,” corrected the lieutenant, smiling. “No, I can't work that + way. I've got to take my own chances. You can go along, though, on one + condition. You're not to interfere between me and Struve. If some one else + butts in, you may ask him why, if you like. + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane t'ink yuh von fool, Steve. But Ay bane no boss. Vat yuh says + goes.” + </p> + <p> + They found Arlie watering geraniums in front of the house. Siegfried + merely nodded to her and passed on to the stables with the horses. Fraser + dismounted, offering her his hand and his warm smile. + </p> + <p> + He had caught her without warning, and she was a little shy of him. Not + only was she embarrassed, but she saw that he knew it. He sat down on the + step, while she continued to water her flowers. + </p> + <p> + “You see your bad penny turned up again, Miss Arlie,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know you were able to ride yet, Lieutenant Fraser.” + </p> + <p> + “This is my first try at it. Thought I'd run over and say 'Thank you' to + my nurse.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll call auntie,” she said quickly. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. “Not necessary, Miss Arlie. I settled up with her. I + was thinking of the nurse that ran off and left me.” + </p> + <p> + She was beginning to recover herself. “You want to thank her for leaving + while there was still hope,” she said, with a quick little smile. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you do it? I've been mighty lonesome the past two weeks,” he said + quietly. + </p> + <p> + “You would be, of course. You are used to an active outdoor life, and I + suppose the boys couldn't get round to see you very often.” + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't thinking of the boys,” he meditated aloud. + </p> + <p> + Arlie blushed; and to hide her embarrassment she called to Jimmie, who was + passing: “Bring up Lieutenant Fraser's Teddy. I want him to see how well + we're caring for his horse.” + </p> + <p> + As a diversion, Teddy served very well. Horse and owner were both mightily + pleased to see each other. While the animal rubbed its nose against his + coat, the ranger teased and petted it. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, you old Teddy hawss. How air things a-comin', pardner?” he + drawled, with a reversion to his Texas speech. “Plumb tickled to death to + meet up with yore old master, ain't you? How come it you ain't fallen in + love with this young lady and forgot Steve?” + </p> + <p> + “He thinks a lot of me, too,” Arlie claimed promptly. + </p> + <p> + “Don't blame you a bit, Teddy. I'll ce'tainly shake hands with you on + that. But life's jest meetin' and partin', old hawss. I got to take you + away for good, day after to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going?” the girl asked quickly. Then, to cover the swift + interest of her question: “But, of course, it is time you were going back + to your business.” + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am, that is just it. Seems to me either too soon or too late to be + going.” + </p> + <p> + She had her face turned from him, and was busy over her plants, to hide + the tremulous dismay that had shaken her at his news. + </p> + <p> + She did not ask him what he meant, nor did she ask again where he was + going. For the moment, she could not trust her voice to say more. + </p> + <p> + “Too late, because I've seen in this valley some one I'll never forget, + and too soon because that some one will forget me, sure as a gun,” he told + her. + </p> + <p> + “Not if you write to him.” + </p> + <p> + “It isn't a him. It's my little nurse.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell auntie how you feel about it, and I'm sure she won't forget + you.” + </p> + <p> + “You know mighty well I ain't talking about auntie.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I suppose you must mean me.” + </p> + <p> + “That's who I'm meaning.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I'll be able to remember you if I try—by Teddy,” she + answered, without looking at him, and devoted herself to petting the + horse. + </p> + <p> + “Is it—would it be any use to say any more, Arlie?” he asked, in a + low voice, as he stood beside her, with Teddy's nose in his hands. + </p> + <p> + “I—I don't know what you mean, sir. Please don't say anything more + about it.” Then again memory of the other girl flamed through her. “No, it + wouldn't—not a bit of use, not a bit,” she broke out fiercely. + </p> + <p> + “You mean you couldn't——” + </p> + <p> + The flame in her face, the eyes that met his, as if drawn by a magnet, + still held their anger, but mingled with it was a piteous plea for mercy. + “I—I'm only a girl. Why don't you let me alone?” she cried bitterly, + and hard upon her own words turned and ran from the room. + </p> + <p> + Steve looked after her in amazed surprise. “Now don't it beat the band the + way a woman takes a thing.” + </p> + <p> + Dubiously he took himself to the stable and said good-by to Dillon. + </p> + <p> + An hour later she went down to dinner still flushed and excited. Before + she had been in the room two minutes her father gave her a piece of + startling news. + </p> + <p> + “I been talking to Steve. Gracious, gyurl, what do you reckon that boy's + a-goin' to do?” + </p> + <p> + Arlie felt the color leap into her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “What, dad?” + </p> + <p> + “He's a'goin' back to Gimlet Butte, to give himself up to Brandt, day + after to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “But—what for?” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Durned if I know! He's got some fool notion about playin' fair. Seems he + came into the Cedar Mountain country to catch the Squaw Creek raiders. + Brandt let him escape on that pledge. Well, he's give up that notion, and + now he thinks, dad gum it, that it's up to him to surrender to Brandt + again.” + </p> + <p> + The girl's eyes were like stars. “And he's going to go back there and give + himself up, to be tried for killing Faulkner.” + </p> + <p> + Dillon scratched his head. “By gum, gyurl, I didn't think of that. We + cayn't let him go.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we can.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, honey, he didn't kill Faulkner, looks like. We cayn't let him go + back there and take our medicine for us. Mebbe he would be lynched. It's a + sure thing he'd be convicted.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. Let him go. I've got a plan, dad.” Her vivid face was alive + with the emotion which spoke in it. “When did he say he was going?” she + asked buoyantly. + </p> + <p> + “Day after to-morrow. Seems he's got business that keeps him hyer + to-morrow. What's yore idee, honey?” + </p> + <p> + She got up, and whispered it in his ear. His jaw dropped, and he stared at + her in amazement. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI — THE WOLF BITES + </h2> + <p> + Steve came drowsily to consciousness from confused dreams of a cattle + stampede and the click of rifles in the hands of enemies who had the drop + on him. The rare, untempered sunshine of the Rockies poured into his + window from a world outside, wonderful as the early morning of creation. + The hillside opposite was bathed miraculously in a flood of light, in + which grasshoppers fiddled triumphantly their joy in life. The sources of + his dreams discovered themselves in the bawl of thirsty cattle and the + regular clicking of a windmill. + </p> + <p> + A glance at his watch told him that it was six o'clock. + </p> + <p> + “Time to get up, Steve,” he told himself, and forthwith did. + </p> + <p> + He chose a rough crash towel, slipped on a pair of Howard's moccasins, and + went down to the river through an ambient that had the sparkle and + exhilaration of champagne. The mountain air was still finely crisp with + the frost, in spite of the sun warmth that was beginning to mellow it. + Flinging aside the Indian blanket he had caught up before leaving the + cabin, he stood for an instant on the bank, a human being with the + physical poise, compactness, and lithe-muscled smoothness of a tiger. + </p> + <p> + Even as he plunged a rifle cracked. While he dived through the air, before + the shock of the icy water tingled through him, he was planning his + escape. The opposite bank rose ten feet above the stream. He kept under + the water until he came close to this, then swam swiftly along it with + only his head showing, so as to keep him out of sight as much as possible. + </p> + <p> + Half a stone's throw farther the bank fell again to the water's edge, the + river having broadened and grown shallow, as mountain creeks do. The + ranger ran, stooping, along the bank, till it afforded him no more + protection, then dashed across the stony-bottomed stream to the shelter of + the thick aspens beyond. + </p> + <p> + Just as he expected, a shot rang from far up the mountainside. In another + instant he was safe in the foliage of the young aspens. + </p> + <p> + In the sheer exhilaration of his escape he laughed aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Last show to score gone, Mr. Struve. I figured it just right. He waited + too long for his first shot. Then the bank hid me. He wasn't expecting to + see me away down the stream, so he hadn't time to sight his second one.” + </p> + <p> + Steve wound his way in and out among the aspens, working toward the tail + of them, which ran up the hill a little way and dropped down almost to the + back door of the cabin. Upon this he was presently pounding. + </p> + <p> + Howard let him in. He had a revolver in his hand, the first weapon he + could snatch up. + </p> + <p> + “You durned old idiot! It's a wonder you ain't dead three ways for + Sunday,” he shouted joyfully at sight of him. “Ain't I told you 'steen + times to do what bathin' you got to do, right here in the shack?” + </p> + <p> + The Texan laughed again. Naked as that of Father Adam, his splendid body + was glowing with the bath and the exercise. + </p> + <p> + “He's ce'tainly the worst chump ever, Alec. Had me in sight all the way + down to the creek, but waited till I wasn't moving. Reckon he was nervous. + Anyhow, he waited just one-tenth of a second too late. Shot just as I + leaned forward for my dive. He gave me a free hair-cut though.” + </p> + <p> + A swath showed where the bullet had mowed a furrow of hair so close that + in one place it had slightly torn the scalp. + </p> + <p> + “He shot again, didn't he?” + </p> + <p> + “Yep. I swam along the far bank, so that he couldn't get at me, and + crossed into the aspens. He got another chance as I was crossing, but he + had to take it on the fly, and missed.” + </p> + <p> + The cattleman surveyed the hillside cautiously through the front window. + “I reckon he's pulled his freight, most likely. But we'll stay cooped for + a while, on the chance. You're the luckiest cuss I ever did see. More + lives than a cat.” + </p> + <p> + Howard laid his revolver down within reach, and proceeded to light a fire + in the stove, from which rose presently the pleasant odors of aromatic + coffee and fried ham and eggs. + </p> + <p> + “Come and get it, Steve,” said Howard, by way of announcing breakfast. + “No, you don't. I'll take the window seat, and at that we'll have the + curtain drawn.” + </p> + <p> + They were just finishing breakfast when Siegfried cantered up. + </p> + <p> + “You bane ready, Steve?” he called in. + </p> + <p> + Howard appeared in the doorway. “Say, Sig, go down to the corral and + saddle up Teddy for Steve, will you? Some of his friends have been + potshotting at him again. No damage done, except to my feelings, but + there's nothing like being careful.” + </p> + <p> + Siegfried's face darkened. “Ay bane like for know who it vas?” + </p> + <p> + Howard laughed. “Now, if you'll tell Steve that he'll give you as much as + six bits, Sig. He's got notions, but they ain't worth any more than yours + or mine. Say, where you boys going to-day? I've a notion to go along.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, just out for a little pasear,” Steve answered casually. “Thought you + were going to work on your south fence to-day.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I reckon I better. It sure needs fixing. You lads take good care of + yourselves. I don't need to tell you not to pass anywhere near the run, + Sig,” he grinned, with the manner of one giving a superfluous warning. + </p> + <p> + Fraser looked at Siegfried, with a smile in his eyes. “No, we'll not pass + the run to-day, Alec.” + </p> + <p> + A quarter of an hour later they were in the saddle and away. Siegfried did + not lead his friend directly up the cañon that opened into Jack Rabbit + Run, but across the hills to a pass, which had to be taken on foot. They + left the horses picketed on a grassy slope, and climbed the faint trail + that went steeply up the bowlder-strewn mountain. + </p> + <p> + The ascent was so steep that the last bit had to be done on all fours. It + was a rock face, though by no means an impossible one, since projecting + ledges and knobs offered a foothold all the way. From the summit, the + trail edged its way down so precipitously that twice fallen pines had to + be used as ladders for the descent. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were off the rocks, the big blonde gave the signal for + silence. “Ay bane t'ink we might meet up weeth some one,” he whispered, + and urged Steve to follow him as closely as possible. + </p> + <p> + It was half an hour later that Sig pointed out a small clearing ahead of + them. “Cabin's right oop on the edge of the aspens. See it?” + </p> + <p> + The ranger nodded assent. + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane go down first an' see how t'ings look.” + </p> + <p> + When the Norwegian entered the cabin, he saw two men seated at a table, + playing seven up. The one facing him was Tommie, the cook; the other was + an awkward heavy-set fellow, whom he knew for the man he wanted, even + before the scarred, villainous face was twisted toward him. + </p> + <p> + Struve leaped instantly to his feet, overturning his chair in his haste. + He had not met the big Norseman since the night he had attempted to hang + Fraser. + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane not shoot yuh now,” Siegfried told him. + </p> + <p> + “Right sure of that, are you?” the convict snarled, his hand on his + weapon. “If you've got any doubts, now's the time to air them, and we'll + settle this thing right now.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane not shoot, Ay tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Tommie, who had ducked beneath the table at the prospect of trouble, now + cautiously emerged. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't lost any pills from either of your guns, gents,” he explained, + with a face so laughably and frankly frightened that both of the others + smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Have a drink, Siegfried,” suggested Struve, by way of sealing the treaty. + “Tommie, get out that bottle.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane t'ink Ay look to my horse first,” the Norwegian answered, and + immediately left by way of the back door not three minutes before Jed + Briscoe entered by the front one. + </p> + <p> + Jed shut the door behind him and looked at the convict. + </p> + <p> + “Well?” he demanded. + </p> + <p> + Struve faced him sullenly, without answering. + </p> + <p> + “Tommie, vamos,” hinted Briscoe gently, and as soon as the cook had + disappeared, he repeated his monosyllable: “Well?” + </p> + <p> + “It didn't come off,” muttered the other sulkily. + </p> + <p> + “Just what I expected. Why not?” + </p> + <p> + Struve broke into a string of furious oaths. “Because I missed him—missed + him twice, when he was standing there naked before me. He was coming down + to the creek to take a bath, and I waited till he was close. I had a sure + bead on him, and he dived just as I fired. I got another chance, when he + was running across, farther down, and, by thunder, I missed again.” + </p> + <p> + Jed laughed, and the sound of it was sinister. + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't hit the side of a house, could you? You're nothing but a cheap + skate, a tin-horn gambler, run down at the heels. All right. I'm through + with you. Lieutenant Fraser, from Texas, can come along and collect + whenever he likes. I'll not protect a false alarm like you any longer.” + </p> + <p> + Struve looked at him, as a cornered wolf might have done. “What will you + do?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll give you up to him. I'll tell him to come in and get you. I'll show + him the way in, you white-livered cur!” bullied the cattleman, giving way + to one of his rages. + </p> + <p> + “You'd better not,” snarled the convict. “Not if you want to live.” + </p> + <p> + As they stood facing each other in a panting fury the door opened, to let + in Siegfried and the ranger. + </p> + <p> + Jed's rage against Struve died on the spot. He saw his enemy, the ranger, + before him, and leaped to the conclusion that he had come to this hidden + retreat to run him down for the Squaw Creek murders. Instantly, his hand + swept to the hilt of his revolver. + </p> + <p> + That motion sealed his doom. For Struve knew that Siegfried had brought + the ranger to capture him, and suspected in the same flash that Briscoe + was in on the betrayal. Had not the man as good as told him so, not thirty + seconds before? He supposed that Jed was drawing to kill or cover him, + and, like a flash of lightning, unscabbarded and fired. + </p> + <p> + “You infernal Judas, I'll get you anyhow,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + Jed dropped his weapon, and reeled back against the wall, where he hung + for a moment, while the convict pumped a second and a third bullet into + his body. Briscoe was dead before Fraser could leap forward and throw his + arms round the man who had killed him. + </p> + <p> + Between them, they flung Struve to the ground, and disarmed him. The + convict's head had struck as he went down, and it was not for some little + time that he recovered fully from his daze. When he did his hands were + tied behind him. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't go for to kill him,” he whimpered, now thoroughly frightened at + what he had done. “You both saw it, gentlemen. You did, lieutenant. So did + you, Sig. It was self-defense. He drew on me. I didn't go to do it.” + </p> + <p> + Fraser was examining the dead man's wounds. He looked up, and said to his + friend: “Nothing to do for him, Sig. He's gone.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, I didn't mean to do it,” pleaded Struve. “Why, lieutenant, + that man has been trying to get me to ambush you for weeks. I'll swear + it.” The convict was in a panic of terror, ready to curry favor with the + man whom he held his deadliest enemy. “Yes, lieutenant, ever since you + came here. He's been egging me on to kill you.” + </p> + <p> + “And you tried it three times?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir.” He pointed vindictively at the dead man, lying face up on the + floor. “It was him that ambushed you this morning. I hadn't a thing to do + with it.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't lie, you coward.” + </p> + <p> + They carried the body to the next room and put it on a bed. Tommie was + dispatched on a fast horse for help. + </p> + <p> + Late in the afternoon he brought back with him Doctor Lee, and half an + hour after sunset Yorky and Slim galloped up. They were for settling the + matter out of hand by stringing the convict Struve up to the nearest pine, + but they found the ranger so very much on the spot that they reconsidered. + </p> + <p> + “He's my prisoner, gentlemen. I came in here and took him—that is, + with the help of my friend Siegfried. I reckon if you mill it over a + spell, you'll find you don't want him half as bad as we do,” he said + mildly. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter with all of us going in on this thing, lieutenant?” + proposed Yorky. + </p> + <p> + “I never did see such a fellow for necktie parties as you are, Yorky. Not + three weeks ago, you was invitin' me to be chief mourner at one of your + little affairs, and your friend Johnson was to be master of ceremonies. + Now you've got the parts reversed. No, I reckon we'll have to disappoint + you this trip.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do with him?” asked Yorky, with plain + dissatisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to take him down to Gimlet Butte. Arizona and Wyoming and Texas + will have to scrap it out for him there.” + </p> + <p> + “When, you get him there,” Yorky said significantly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, when I get him there,” answered the Texan blandly, carefully + oblivious of the other's implication. + </p> + <p> + The moon was beginning to show itself over a hill before the Texan and + Siegfried took the road with their captive. Fraser had carelessly let drop + a remark to the effect that they would spend the night at the Dillon + ranch. + </p> + <p> + His watch showed eleven o'clock before they reached the ranch, but he + pushed on without turning in and did not stop until they came to the + Howard place. + </p> + <p> + They roused Alec from sleep, and he cooked them a post-midnight supper, + after which he saddled his cow pony, buckled on his belt, and took down + his old rifle from the rack. + </p> + <p> + “I'll jog along with you lads and see the fun,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Their prisoner had not eaten. The best he could do was to gulp down some + coffee, for he was in a nervous chill of apprehension. Every gust of wind + seemed to carry to him the patter of pursuit. The hooting of an owl sent a + tremor through him. + </p> + <p> + “Don't you reckon we had better hurry?” he had asked with dry lips more + than once, while the others were eating. + </p> + <p> + He asked it again as they were setting off. + </p> + <p> + Howard looked him over with rising disgust, without answering. Presently, + he remarked, apropos of nothing: “Are all your Texas wolves coyotes, + Steve?” + </p> + <p> + He would have liked to know at least that it was a man whose life he was + protecting, even though the fellow was also a villain. But this crumb of + satisfaction was denied him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII — ON THE ROAD TO GIMLET BUTTE + </h2> + <p> + “We'll go out by the river way,” said Howard tentatively. “Eh, what think, + Sig? It's longer, but Yorky will be expecting us to take the short cut + over the pass.” + </p> + <p> + The Norwegian agreed. “It bane von chance, anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + By unfrequented trails they traversed the valley till they reached the + cañon down which poured Squaw Creek on its way to the outside world. A + road ran alongside this for a mile or two, but disappeared into the stream + when the gulch narrowed. The first faint streaks of gray dawn were + lightening the sky enough for Fraser to see this. He was riding in + advance, and commented upon it to Siegfried, who rode with him. + </p> + <p> + The Norwegian laughed. “Ay bane t'ink we do some wadin'.” + </p> + <p> + They swung off to the right, and a little later splashed through the water + for a few minutes and came out into a spreading valley beyond the sheer + walls of the retreat they had left. Taking the road again, they traveled + faster than they had been able to do before. + </p> + <p> + “Who left the valley yesterday for Gimlet Butte, Sig?” Howard asked, after + it was light enough to see. “I notice tracks of two horses.” + </p> + <p> + “Ay bane vondering. Ay t'ink mebbe West over——” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon not. This ain't the track of his big bay. Must 'a' been + yesterday, too, because it rained the night before.” + </p> + <p> + For some hours they could see occasionally the tracks of the two horses, + but eventually lost them where two trails forked. + </p> + <p> + “Taking the Sweetwater cutout to the Butte, I reckon,” Howard surmised. + </p> + <p> + They traveled all day, except for a stop about ten o'clock for breakfast, + and another late in the afternoon, to rest the horses. At night, they put + up at a ranch house, and were in the saddle again early in the morning. + Before noon, they struck a telephone line, and Fraser called up Brandt at + a ranch. + </p> + <p> + “Hello! This Sheriff Brandt? Lieutenant Fraser, of the Texas Rangers, is + talking. I'm on my way to town with a prisoner. We're at Christy's, now. + There will, perhaps, be an attempt to take him from us. I'll explain the + circumstances later.... Yes.... Yes.... We can hold him, I think, but + there may be trouble.... Yes, that's it. We have no legal right to detain + him, I suppose.... That's what I was going to suggest. Better send about + four men to meet us. We'll come in on the Blasted Pine road. About nine + to-night, I should think.” + </p> + <p> + As they rode easily along the dusty road, the Texan explained his plan to + his friends. + </p> + <p> + “We don't want any trouble with Yorky's crowd. We ain't any of us + deputies, and my commission doesn't run in Wyoming, of course. My notion + is to lie low in the hills two or three hours this afternoon, and give + Brandt a chance to send his men out to meet us. The responsibility will be + on them, and we can be sworn in as deputies, too.” + </p> + <p> + They rested in a grassy draw, about fifteen miles from town, and took the + trail again shortly after dark. It was an hour later that Fraser, who had + an extraordinary quick ear, heard the sound of men riding toward them. He + drew his party quickly into the shadows of the hills, a little distance + from the road. + </p> + <p> + They could hear voices of the advancing party, and presently could make + out words. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, they've got to come in on this road, Slim,” one of the men + was saying dogmatically. “We're bound to meet up with them. That's all + there is to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yorky,” whispered Howard, in the ranger's ear. + </p> + <p> + They rode past in pairs, six of them in all. As chance would have it, + Siegfried's pony, perhaps recognizing a friend among those passing, + nickered shrilly its greeting. Instantly, the riders drew up. + </p> + <p> + “Where did that come from?” Yorky asked, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “From over to the right. I see men there now See! Up against that hill.” + Slim pointed toward the group in the shadow. + </p> + <p> + Yorky hailed them. “That you, Sig?” + </p> + <p> + “Yuh bane von good guesser,” answered the Norwegian. + </p> + <p> + “How many of you are there?” + </p> + <p> + “Four, Yorky,” Fraser replied. + </p> + <p> + “There are six of us. We've got you outnumbered, boys.” + </p> + <p> + Very faintly there came to the lieutenant the beat of horses' feet. He + sparred for time. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want, Yorky?” + </p> + <p> + “You know what we want. That murderer you've got there—that's what + we want.” + </p> + <p> + “We're taking him in to be tried, Yorky. Justice will be done to him.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at Gimlet Butte it won't. No jury will convict him for killing Jed + Briscoe, from Lost Valley. We're going to hang him, right now.” + </p> + <p> + “You'll have to fight for him, my friend, and before you do that I want + you to understand the facts.” + </p> + <p> + “We understand all the facts we need to, right now.” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant rode forward alone. He knew that soon they too would hear + the rhythmic beat of the advancing posse. + </p> + <p> + “We've got all night to settle this, boys. Let's do what is fair and + square. That's all I ask.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you're shouting, lieutenant. That's all we ask.” + </p> + <p> + “It depends on what you mean by fair and square,” another one spoke up. + </p> + <p> + The ranger nodded amiably at him. “That you, Harris? Well, let's look at + the facts right. Here's Lost Valley, that's had a bad name ever since it + was inhabited. Far as I can make out its settlers are honest men, regarded + outside as miscreants. Just as folks were beginning to forget it, comes + the Squaw Creek raid. Now, I'm not going into that, and I'm not going to + say a word against the man that lies dead up in the hills. But I'll say + this: His death solves a problem for a good many of the boys up there. I'm + going to make it my business to see that the facts are known right down in + Gimlet Butte. I'm going to lift the blame from the boys that were present, + and couldn't help what happened.” + </p> + <p> + Yorky was impressed, but suspicion was not yet banished from his mind. + “You seem to know a lot about it, lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “No use discussing that, Yorky. I know what I know. Here's the great big + point: If you lynch the man that shot Jed, the word will go out that the + valley is still a nest of lawless outlaws. The story will be that the + Squaw Creek raiders and their friends did it. Just as the situation is + clearing up nicely, you'll make it a hundred times worse by seeming to + indorse what Jed did on Squaw Creek.” + </p> + <p> + “By thunder, that's right,” Harris blurted. + </p> + <p> + Fraser spoke again. “Listen, boys. Do you hear horses galloping? That is + Sheriff Brandt's deputies, coming to our assistance. You've lost the game, + but you can save your faces yet. Join us, and kelp escort the prisoner to + town. Nobody need know why you came out. We'll put it that it was to guard + against a lynching.” + </p> + <p> + The men looked at each other sheepishly. They had been outwitted, and in + their hearts were glad of it. Harris turned to the ranger with a laugh. + “You're a good one, Fraser. Kept us here talking, while your + reënforcements came up. Well, boys, I reckon we better join the + Sunday-school class.” + </p> + <p> + So it happened that when Sheriff Brandt and his men came up they found the + mountain folk united. He was surprised at the size of the force with the + Texan. + </p> + <p> + “You're certainly of a cautious disposition, lieutenant. With eight men to + help you, I shouldn't have figured you needed my posse,” he remarked. + </p> + <p> + “It gives you the credit of bringing in the prisoner, sheriff,” Steve told + him unblushingly, voicing the first explanation that came to his mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII — A WITNESS IN REBUTTAL + </h2> + <p> + Two hours later, Lieutenant Fraser was closeted with Brandt and Hilliard. + He told them his story—or as much of it as he deemed necessary. The + prosecuting attorney heard him to an end before he gave a short, skeptical + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't seem to me you've quite lived up to your reputation, + lieutenant,” he commented. + </p> + <p> + “I wasn't trying to,” retorted Steve. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” + </p> + <p> + “I have told you how I got into the valley. I couldn't go in there and + betray my friends.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard wagged his fat forefinger. “How about betraying our trust? How + about throwing us down? We let you escape, after you had given us your + word to do this job, didn't we?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I had to throw you down. There wasn't any other way.” + </p> + <p> + “You tell a pretty fishy story, lieutenant. It doesn't stand to reason + that one man did all the mischief on that Squaw Creek raid.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true. Not a shadow of a doubt of it. I'll bring you three + witnesses, if you'll agree to hold them guiltless.” + </p> + <p> + “And I suppose I'm to agree to hold you guiltless of Faulkner's death, + too?” the lawyer demanded. + </p> + <p> + “I didn't say that. I'm here, Mr. Hilliard, to deliver my person, because + I can't stand by the terms of our agreement. I think I've been fair with + you.” + </p> + <p> + Hilliard looked at Brandt, with twinkling eyes. It struck Fraser that they + had between them some joke in which he was not a sharer. + </p> + <p> + “You're willing to assume full responsibility for the death of Faulkner, + are you? Ready to plead guilty, eh?” + </p> + <p> + Fraser laughed. “Just a moment. I didn't say that. What I said was that + I'm here to stand my trial. It's up to you to prove me guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “But, in point of fact, you practically admit it.” + </p> + <p> + “In point of fact, I would prefer not to say so. Prove it, if you can.” + </p> + <p> + “I have witnesses here, ready to swear to the truth, lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “Aren't your witnesses prejudiced a little?” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe.” The smile on Hilliard's fat face broadened. “Two of them are + right here. Suppose we find out.” + </p> + <p> + He stepped to the door of the inner office, and opened it. From the room + emerged Dillon and his daughter. The Texan looked at Arlie in blank + amazement. + </p> + <p> + “This young lady says she was present, lieutenant, and knows who fired the + shot that killed Faulkner.” + </p> + <p> + The ranger saw only Arlie. His gaze was full of deep reproach. “You came + down here to save me,” he said, in the manner of one stating a fact. + </p> + <p> + “Why shouldn't I? Ought I to have let you suffer for me? Did you think I + was so base?” + </p> + <p> + “You oughtn't to have done it. You have brought trouble on yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes glowed with deep fires. “I don't care. I have done what was + right. Did you think dad and I would sit still and let you pay forfeit for + us?” + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant's spirits rejoiced at the thing she had done, but his mind + could not forget what she must go through. + </p> + <p> + “I'm glad and I'm sorry,” he said simply. + </p> + <p> + Hilliard came, smiling, to relieve the situation. “I've got a piece of + good news for both of you. Two of the boys that were in that shooting + scrap three miles from town came to my office the other day and admitted + that they attacked you. It got noised around that there was a girl in it, + and they were anxious to have the thing dropped. I don't think either of + you need worry about it any more.” + </p> + <p> + Dillon gave a shout. “Glory, hallelujah!” He had been much troubled, and + his relief shone on his face. “I say, gentlemen, that's the best news I've + heard in twenty years. Let's go celebrate it with just one.” + </p> + <p> + Brandt and Hilliard joined him, but the Texan lingered. + </p> + <p> + “I reckon I'll join you later, gentlemen,” he said. + </p> + <p> + While their footsteps died away he looked steadily at Arlie. Her eyes met + his and held fast. Beneath the olive of her cheeks, a color began to glow. + </p> + <p> + He held out both his hands. The light in his eyes softened, transfigured + his hard face. “You can't help it, honey. It may not be what you would + have chosen, but it has got to be. You're mine.” + </p> + <p> + Almost beneath her breath she spoke. “You forgot—the other girl.” + </p> + <p> + “What other girl? There is none—never was one.” + </p> + <p> + “The girl in the picture.” + </p> + <p> + His eyes opened wide. “Good gracious! She's been married three months to a + friend of mine. Larry Neill his name is.” + </p> + <p> + “And she isn't your sweetheart at all? Never was?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't reckon she ever was. Neill took that picture himself. We were + laughing, because I had just been guying them about how quick they got + engaged. She was saying I'd be engaged myself before six months. And I am. + Ain't I?” + </p> + <p> + She came to him slowly—first, the little outstretched hands, and + then the soft, supple, resilient body. Slowly, too, her sweet reluctant + lips came round to meet his. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Steve, I'm yours. I think I always have been, even before I knew + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Even when you hated me?” he asked presently. + </p> + <p> + “Most of all, when I hated you,” She laughed happily. “That was just + another way of love.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll have fifty years to find out all the different ways,” the man + promised. + </p> + <p> + “Fifty years. Oh, Steve!” + </p> + <p> + She gave a happy little sigh, and nestled closer. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Texas Ranger, by William MacLeod Raine + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TEXAS RANGER *** + +***** This file should be named 4993-h.htm or 4993-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/4/9/9/4993/ + +Produced by Jim Weiler and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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