第88章

On the following day Creech appeared to have cast off the brooding mood.

Still, he was not talkative.He applied himself to constant watching from the rim.

Lucy began to feel rested.That long trip with Creech had made her thin and hard and strong.She spent the hours under the shade of a cedar on the rim that protected her from sun and wind.The wind, particularly, was hard to stand.It blew a gale out of the west, a dry, odorous, steady rush that roared through the pine-tops and flattened the long, white grass.This day Creech had to build up a barrier of rock round his camp-fire, to keep it from blowing away.And there was a constant danger of firing the grass.

Once Lucy asked Creech what would happen in that case.

"Wal, I reckon the grass would burn back even ag'in thet wind," replied Creech."I'd hate to see fire in the woods now before the rains come.It's been the longest, dryest spell I ever lived through.But fer thet my hosses--This hyar's a west wind, an' it's blowin' harder every day.It'll fetch the rains."Next day about noon, when both wind and heat were high, Lucy was awakened from a doze.Creech was standing near her.When he turned his long gaze away from the canyon he was smiling.It was a smile at once triumphant and sad.

"Joel's comin' with the hosses!"

Lucy jumped up, trembling and agitated."Oh!...Where? Where?"Creech pointed carefully with bent hand, like an Indian, and Lucy either could not get the direction or see far enough.

"Right down along the base of thet red wall.A line of hosses.Jest like a few crawlin' ants'...An' now they're creepin' out of sight.""Oh, I can't see them!" cried Lucy."Are you SURE?""Positive an' sartin," he replied."Joel's comin'.He'll be up hyar before long.I reckon we'd jest as well let him come.Fer there's water an' grass hyar.An' down below grass is scarce."It seemed an age to Lucy, waiting there, until she did see horses zigzagging the ridges below.They disappeared, and then it was another age before they reappeared close under the bulge of wall.She thrilled at sight of Sage King and Sarchedon.She got only a glimpse of them.They must pass round under her to climb a split in the wall, and up a long draw that reached level ground back in the forest.But they were near, and Lucy tried to wait.Creech showed eagerness at first, and then went on with his camp-fire duties.While in camp he always cooked a midday meal.

Lucy saw the horses first.She screamed out.Creech jumped up in alarm.

Joel Creech, mounted on Sage King, and leading Sarchedon, was coming at a gallop.The other horses were following.

"What's his hurry?" demanded Lucy."After climbing out of that canyon Joel ought not to push the horses.""He'll git it from me if there's no reason," growled Creech."Them hosses is wet.""Look at Sarch! He's wild.He always hated Joel.""Wal, Lucy, I reckon I ain't likin' this hyar.Look at Joel!" muttered Creech, and he strode out to meet his son.

Lucy ran out too, and beyond him.She saw only Sage King.He saw her, recognized her, and, whistled even while Joel was pulling him in.For once the King showed he was glad to see Lucy.He had been having rough treatment.But he was not winded--only hot and wet.She assured herself of that, then ran to quiet the plunging Sarch.He came down at once, and pushed his big nose almost into her face.She hugged his great, hot neck.He was quivering all over.Lucy heard the other horses pounding up; she recognized Two Face's high whinny, like a squeal; and in her delight she was about to run to them when Creech's harsh voice arrested her.And sight of Joel's face suddenly made her weak.

"What'd you say?" demanded Creech.

"I'd a good reason to run the hosses up-hill--thet's what!" snapped Joel.He was frothing at the mouth.

"Out with it!"

"Cordts an' Hutch!"

"What?" roared Creech, grasping the pale Joel and shaking him.

"Cordts an' Hutch rode in behind me down at thet cross canyon.They seen me.

An' they're after me hard!"

Creech gave close and keen scrutiny to the strange face of his son.Then he wheeled away.

"Help me pack.An' you, too, Lucy.We've got to rustle out of hyar."Lucy fought a sick faintness that threatened to make her useless.But she tried to help, and presently action made her stronger.

The Creeches made short work of that breaking of camp.But when it came to getting the horses there appeared danger of delay.Sarchedon had led Dusty Ben and Two Face off in the grass.When Joel went for them they galloped away toward the woods.Joel ran back.

"Son, you're a smart hossman!" exclaimed Creech, in disgust.

"Shall I git on the King an' ketch them?""No.Hold the King." Creech went out after Plume, but the excited and wary horse eluded him.Then Creech gave up, caught his own mustangs, and hurried into camp.

"Lucy, if Cordts gits after Sarch an' the others it'll be as well fer us," he said.

Soon they were riding into the forest, Creech leading, Lucy in the center, and Joel coming behind on the King.Two unsaddled mustangs carrying the packs were driven in front.Creech limited the gait to the best that the pack-horses could do.They made fast time.The level forest floor, hard and springy, afforded the best kind of going.

A cold dread had once more clutched Lucy's heart.What would be the end of this flight? The way Creech looked back increased her dread.How horrible it would be if Cordts accomplished what he had always threatened--to run off with both her and the King! Lucy lost her confidence in Creech.She did not glance again at Joel.Once had been enough.She rode on with heavy heart.Anxiety and dread and conjecture and a gradual sinking of spirit weighed her down.Yet she never had a clearer perception of outside things.The forest loomed thicker and darker.The sky was seen only through a green, crisscross of foliage waving in the roaring gale.This strong wind was like a blast in Lucy's face, and its keen dryness cracked her lips.