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Updated: June 6, 2025
Prescott was not a censorious person, and he had a liking and some pity for the man. "Well," he said, in answer to the woman's remark, "that was certainly foolish of him. But what had he to do with the row, anyway?" "Have a drink, and I'll try to explain," said Jernyngham. "A big cool drink might clear my head, and I feel it needs it." "You kin have soda, but nothin' else!" the woman broke in.
"You don't look much the worse," the rancher said. "You had a fortunate escape." "How did I get here?" Jernyngham asked, leaning on the back of a chair, for he felt shaky still. "That's more than I can tell. Svendsen found you outside the door when he tried to get across to the stable. You couldn't have been there long: a few minutes, I guess, though we didn't hear you.
Her slight accent suggested the French Canadian strain, though Prescott imagined that there was a trace of Indian blood in her. Her manners were unfinished, her character was primitive, but Prescott thought she was as good a consort as Jernyngham deserved. The latter had a small wheat farm lying back on the prairie, but his erratic temperament prevented his successfully working it.
I guess you can quit and have supper, boys." In a little while trails of gray smoke floated across the ravine, and after a meal with one of his neighbors Prescott rode back to his homestead, feeling much disturbed. For all that, and in spite of the letter, he did not think Jernyngham would be found in the swamp.
Then, as he rose with grim satisfaction, he saw with a start two indistinct figures watching him a dozen yards away. They moved forward, and he recognized the first of them as Curtis. "Mr. Jernyngham?" said the corporal. "Yes," said Jernyngham. "Who did you think it was?" "Well," returned Curtis dryly, "we didn't expect to find you. What brought you here?"
There was a knock at the door and a trooper looked in and withdrew. "Mr. Jernyngham," said the officer, "if you will make an appointment to meet me on my return from the reservation, I will be at your service, but you must excuse me now. I have some instructions to give the constable, who has a long ride before him." "A minute, please; I'll be brief.
"Yes; you had better continue, Jack. I suppose we must speak of these things now, and then forget them forever." "You know what Jernyngham believed of me. I could not marry you with such a stain on my name; but it will be wiped off in a few more days, and this I owe to you. It was you who insisted that I should clear myself." She started. "Remember that I know nothing, except that you went away."
Jernyngham sat rather limply in an easy-chair, as if the relief of finding his son safe had shaken him, but his eyes were less troubled and his manner calmer. He rose when he saw Prescott. "Mr. Prescott," he said, "I must own before these others, who have heard me speak hardly of you, that I have done you a grievous wrong. I have no excuse to urge in asking you to forgive it.
You'll have to tell Colston that I'm staying here!" He got up and Prescott laid a hand on his arm. "It's hard; but you're doing the square thing, Cyril." Jernyngham shook off his hand. "Don't let us talk in that strain. Come and see Ellice and try to amuse her. Don't know what's wrong with the woman; she has been moody of late." "I must get back as soon as I can and I've some business to do."
His attempt to escape with Prescott, however, makes it obvious that they were confederates." The officer let this remark pass, for he was anxious to get rid of his visitor. Jernyngham was piqued by his silence. "I suppose you have not apprehended Prescott yet?" he resumed. "No," answered the other shortly. "He will remain at liberty."
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