Smith. "An' I've not a doubt
in the world but that there valley's not yet hunted. But to ketch the
darned scooters, that's the hell of it! Pan, even a thousand head
would give me a new start somewhere."

"It's as good as done. Before the snow flies we will be on the way
south to Siccane."

"Lord! I'm a younger man than I was a few days ago. Before the snow
flies? That's hardly another month. Pan, how'll we travel?"

"Wagons and horseback. We can buy wagon outfits for next to nothing.
There's a corral full of them at Black's. Second hand, but good
enough."

"Mother an' Lucy will be glad. They hate this country. I don't mind
wind if it's not too cold."

"There! Isn't that Lucy at the gate now?" suddenly queried Pan, with
piercing gaze ahead.

"Reckon it is," replied his father. "Ride ahead, son. I'll take my
time."

Pan urged the sorrel into a lope, then a gallop, and from that to a
run. In just a few rods Pan took the measure of this splendid horse.
Swift, strong, sure footed and easy gaited, and betraying no sign of a
mean spirit, the sorrel won Pan. What a liar Blinky was! He had lied
to be generous.

Lucy waved to Pan as he came clattering down the road. Then she
disappeared in the green foliage. Arriving at the gate he dismounted
and went in. He expected to see her. But she had disappeared.
Leading his horse he hurried in toward the house, looking everywhere.
The girl, however, was not to be seen.

Bobby was occupied with little wooden playthings on the porch. Pan's
gay shout to him brought forth his mother, but no Lucy.

He dropped his bridle, and mounted the porch to embrace his mother, who
met him with suppressed emotions. Her hands were more expressive than
her words.

"Oh, I'm all here, Mother," he laughed. "Where's Lucy? She was at the
gate. Waved to me."

"Lucy ran through the house like a whirlwind," replied his mother, with
a smile. "The truth is, my son, she has been quite beside herself
since she heard of her father's release from jail. She _knew_ you got
him out. She stared at me with her eyes black and wide. 'Mother, he
laughed at me--at my fears. He said it'd be easy to free Dad.' ... So
she knows, Pan, and I rather think she didn't want us to see her when
she meets you. You'll find her in the orchard or down by the brook."

"All right, Mother, I'll find her," replied Pan happily. "We'll be in
to dinner pronto. There's a lot to talk about. Dad will