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Say, what boys you got out there?" she inquired as the man slipped out of the saddle and began to unfasten the cinchas. "Why, just the same four damn fools, an' Sikkem." "And they're following up the trail?" "Sure." The man flung off the saddle and his horse mouched away. "Psha!" he cried, turning his fierce eyes upon Nan. "What's the use anyway?" His gesture was one of helpless disgust.
He saddled her, led her a few steps that she might become used to the feel of the cinchas, and then mounted. He turned the pony up the hill and sat watching the pinto on the road below. He saw Saunders draw rein and dismount, apparently searching the road for something. Then he saw him mount quickly and disappear on the Old Meadow Trail. Collie whirled the pony round and down the hill.
Then he became aware of two men on two horses, leading two pack ponies. He scrutinized them narrowly without shifting his position, and, long before they reached him, he decided they were strangers. They dismounted in silence and without haste. They went round their horses and loosened cinchas. Then they tied the four beasts to the tie-posts in front of the saloon.
"Can he ride?" shouted Collie, grinning. But the grin died to a gasp. A burst of shale and dust shot up from the hillside. They saw the flash of the cinchas on the belly of Tenlow's horse as the dauntless pony stumbled and dove headlong down the slope, rolling over and over, to stop finally a patch of brown, shapeless, quivering.
Steve was clad for the summer trail, and his leather chapps creaked, and his spurs clanked as he passed round to the tying post at which his horse was tethered. Force of habit made him test the cinchas of his saddle before mounting. He spoke over his shoulder to the man who had risen to his feet at his coming. "Guess you got everything right, Corporal?" he said. "Everything, sir." "Good.
Miguel of the Moonstone removed his sombrero and gravely passed it. "Flowers for the Collie kid," he said solemnly. Collie, grave, alert, a little white beneath his tan, called for Williams to hold the pony. Then the younger man, talking to her meanwhile, slipped off the bridle and adjusted a hackamore in its place. He tightened the cinchas. The men had ceased joking.
And because he had to count upon possibilities far ahead he drew Ramon's saddle to him and cut the stirrup-leathers, cinchas, and latigos. If Ramon got one of their horses, his own jaded animal would be left. Eventually the rurales would find the saddle and Ramon's horse. And every rural out of the riding would be a factor in their escape.
Well enough Joan knew their doctrine of a life for a life. She must go back. She must save those two from this ravening horde. Buck moved out of Cæsar's stall. He had just finished lightly securing the double cinchas of his saddle. The bulging saddle-bags had been made fast behind the cantle and the wallets strapped upon the horn.
But comin' across the mesa the cinchas sure scraped snow." "Right here on our mesa?" "Right here, miss. From the edge of the timber over there to this side it was four feet deep on the level." "And now," she said, gesturing toward the wavering grasses. "But why did you risk it?" Lorry laughed. He had not considered it a risk. "You remember that book you lent me. Well, I left it in my cabin.
Lew and Raw Harris choked her quiet with the lariat, and though she physically attempted to resent the indignity of being saddled, the cinchas were drawn tight. Tresler had come over by himself, leaving Jake to watch the proceedings from the vantage ground of the rise toward the house. He was quite quiet, and the boys stole occasional apprehensive glances at him.
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