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Hardman's fingers itched at the trigger he had not the courage to pull. For such an unflawed nerve he knew himself no match. "Keep back," he screamed. "Damn it, another step and I'll fire!" But he did not fire, though Collins rode up to him, dismounted, and threw the end of the rifle carelessly from him. "Don't be rash, Hardman.
If his wild horse expedition had not reached the last day he would have sent Blinky back to Marco or have gone himself to see if Hardman's riders could be located. But it was too late. Pan would not postpone the drive, come what might.
His brother officers, as usual, laughed at Hardman's prognostications. At length the frigate got the chase directly under her guns, when, instead of making the slightest attempt to escape, she hauled down her flag, and heaving-to, waited to be taken possession of.
Nothing could exceed the friendly warmth with which he had been received by the whole family, especially by the Lady Elizabeth. After some difficulty, the discharge was obtained, and the letter concluded by actually fixing a day for Herbert's appearance in the hall of his fathers. The vastness of Mrs Hardman's preparations were equal to the greatness of her joy.
They ran me off, swore it was their claim. Purcell said he'd worked it before an' sold it to Jard Hardman. Thet's young Hardman's dad, an' he wouldn't fit in any square hole. I went to Matthews an' raised a holler. But I couldn't prove nothin'.... An' by Gawd, Pan, thet claim is a mine now, payin' well." "Tough luck, Blink.
Pan tried to laugh it off, but Blinky manifestly had seen red at the mention of Dick Hardman's name. He was going over to the Yellow Mine and pick a fight. Pan, finding Blinky stubborn and strange, adopted other tactics. Drawing the irate cowboy aside he inquired kindly and firmly: "It's because of Louise?" "What's because?" returned Blinky, blusteringly.
Hardman, his man Purcell, and the outlaw Mac New. He called himself Hurd. He was one of Hardman's jailers there in Marco. But I knew Hurd as Mac New, back in Montana. I saved him from being hanged." Pan moistened lips too dry and too hot for his swift utterance, and then he told in stern brevity the true details of that triple killing.
The tone of his voice, the way he pointed over the cedar fence to the slope, caused Pan to leap into his saddle. In a moment his sweeping gaze caught horsemen and pack animals zigzagging down the trail. "If it's Hardman's outfit, by Gawd, they're comin' back with nerve," said Blinky. "But I never figgered they'd come." Pan cursed under his breath.
The taunt, thrown in Hardman's face, added to the tension of the moment. He had lost the ruddy color under his beard. His eyes stood out. He recognized at last something beyond his power to change or stop. "Smith, reckon you've cause for temper," he said, huskily. "I'll take half the hosses an' buy your half." "No! Not one damn broomtail do you get," returned Pan in a voice that cut.
Mrs Hardman's native strength of mind, however, kept her up amidst her double loss. She found a great consolation in assiduously attending Catherine's sick-bed. Misfortune had schooled every particle of pride from her breast, and she was a prey to remorse. She accused herself not indeed entirely without justice of having caused the miseries, the effects of which she was now suffering.
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