acking, and the fleet and tireless
Wildfire, she grew convinced that Creech could not long hold her
captive. For Slone would be wary. He would give no sign of his pursuit.
He would steal upon the Creeches in the dark and-- Lucy shivered again.
What an awful fate had been that of Dick Sears!

So as she rode on Lucy's mind was full. She was used to riding, and in
the motion of a horse there was something in harmony with her blood.
Even now, with worry and dread and plotting strong upon her, habit had
such power over her that riding made the hours fleet. She was surprised
to be halted, to see dimly low, dark mounds of rock ahead.

"Git off," said Creech.

"Where are we?" asked Lucy.

"Reckon hyar's the rocks. An' you sleep some, fer you'll need it." He
spread a blanket, laid her saddle at the head of it, and dropped
another blanket. "What I want to know is--shall I tie you up or not?"
asked Creech. "If I do you'll git sore. An' this'll be the toughest
trip you ever made."

"You mean will I try to get away from you--or not?" queried Lucy.

"Jest thet."

Lucy pondered. She divined some fineness of feeling in this coarse man.
He wanted to spare her not only pain, but the necessity of watchful
eyes on her every moment. Lucy did not like to promise not to try to
escape, if opportunity presented. Still, she reasoned, that once deep
in the canyons, where she would be in another day, she would be worse
off if she did get away. The memory of Cordts's cavernous, hungry eyes
upon her was not a small factor in Lucy's decision.

"Creech, if I give my word not to try to get away, would you believe
me?" she asked.

Creech was slow in replying. "Reckon I would," he said, finally.

"All right, I'll give it."

"An' thet's sense. Now you lay down."

Lucy did as she was bidden and pulled the blanket over her. The place
was gloomy and still. She heard the sound of mustangs' teeth on grass,
and the soft footfalls of the men. Presently these sounds ceased. A
cold wind blew over her face and rustled in the sage near her.
Gradually the chill passed away, and a stealing warmth took its place.
Her eyes grew tired. What had happened to her? With eyes closed she
thought it was all a dream. Then the feeling of the hard saddle as a
pillow under her head told her she was indeed far from her comfortable
little room. What would poor Aunt Jane do in the morning when she
discovered who was missing? What would Holley do? When would Bostil
retu