Cabin Gulch Read Free Page A

the foothills and the ridges, and here they made faster time. The valley appeared miles long. Toward the middle of it, Roberts called out to Joan, and, looking down, she saw they had come up with Jim’s trail. Here Roberts put his mount to a canter and at that gait they trailed Jim out of the valley and up a slope that appeared to be a pass into the mountains. Time flew by for Joan because she was always peering ahead in the hope and expectation of seeing Jim off in the distance. But she had no glimpse of him. Now and then Roberts would glance around at the westering sun. The afternoon had far advanced.Joan began to worry about home. She had been so sure of coming up with Jim and returning early in the day that she had left no word as to her intentions. Probably by this time somebody was out looking for her.
    The country grew rougher, rock-strewn, covered with cedars and patches of pine. Deer crashed out of the thickets, and grouse whirred up from under the horses. The warmth of the summer afternoon chilled.
    â€œReckon we’d better give it up!” called Roberts back to her.
    â€œNo . . . no. Go on,” replied Joan.
    And they urged their horses faster. Finally they reached the summit of the slope. From that height they saw down into a round shallow valley, which led on, like all the deceptive reaches, to the ranges. There was water down there. It glinted like red ribbon in the sunlight. Not a living thing was in sight. Joan grew more discouraged. It seemed there was scarcely any hope of overtaking Jim that day. His trail led off around to the left and grew difficult to follow. Finally, to make matters worse, Roberts’s horse slipped in a rocky wash and lamed himself. He did not want to go on and, when urged, could hardly walk.
    Roberts got off to examine the injury.
    â€œWal, he didn’t break his leg,” he said, which was his manner of telling how bad the injury was. “Joan, I reckon there’ll be some worryin’ back home tonight. For your horse can’t carry double an’ I can’t walk.”
    Joan dismounted. There was water in the wash, and she helped Roberts bathe the sprained and swelling joint. In the interest and sympathy of the moment she forgot her own trouble.
    â€œReckon we’ll have to make camp right here,” said Roberts, looking around. “Lucky I’ve a pack on thatsaddle. I can make you comfortable. But we’d better be careful about a fire an’ not have one after dark.”
    â€œThere’s no help for it,” replied Joan. “Tomorrow we’ll go on after Jim. He can’t be far ahead now.”
    She was glad that it was impossible to return home until the next day.
    Roberts took the pack off his horse, and then the saddle. He was bending over in the act of loosening the cinches of Joan’s saddle when suddenly he straightened up with a jerk.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    Joan heard soft dull thumps on the turf, and then the sharp crack of an unshod hoof upon stone. Wheeling, she saw three horsemen. They were just across the wash and coming toward her. One rider pointed in her direction. Silhouetted against the red of the sunset they made dark and sinister figures. Joan glanced apprehensively at Roberts. He was staring with a look of recognition in his eyes. Under his breath he muttered a curse. Although Joan was not certain, she believed that his face had shaded gray.
    The three horsemen halted on the rim of the wash. One of them was leading a mule that carried a pack and a deer carcass. Joan had seen many riders apparently just like these, but none had ever so subtly and powerfully affected her.
    â€œHowdy,” greeted one of the men.
    And then Joan was positive that the face of Roberts had turned ashen gray.

T WO
    â€œIt ain’t you . . . Kells?”
    Roberts’s query was a confirmation of his own recognition. The other’s laugh was an answer, if one were needed.
    The three horsemen crossed the