at her in the dim light from the door, took out a thick,
black cigar, bit the end off savagely, and began to chew it. He walked
abruptly out to where some of his men were standing by their horses,
and he said something in an undertone. When he returned, Rathburn had
taken the saddle and bridle off the dead horse and was throwing the
leather on the porch.

"Yours, dad," he called to Mallory; "I wouldn't use 'em again if I
could." Then he turned to the sheriff. "All right, Bob."

"Come inside," said Long gruffly.

CHAPTER XXXVIII

TEN MILES' START

When they were in the sitting room the sheriff confronted Rathburn.

"This has been a queer case for me," he said slowly, with an attempt
at harshness. "I knew Eagen was up to a lot of dirty work, but I never
could fasten anything on him till to-night. I'll get some of the rest
of the gang now. Doane showed in his face that he was guilty. Those
things don't worry me none. But _you_ are the hardest character I ever
had to handle, Rathburn!"

"I don't figure on givin' you any more trouble, sheriff," Rathburn
assured him, smiling.

"That's the puzzle of it!" Long exploded. "That puts it up to me. I
know you had reason for giving Gomez his, and I know this girl
wouldn't lie about the other. But--well, I don't get you a-tall,
Rathburn, and that's a fact. Something tells me I've got to give you a
chance, and if I knew what tells me this I'd wring its neck!"

He stepped close to Rathburn and looked him straight in the eye.

"Take one of Mallory's horses. He's got some good ones. I give you ten
miles in any direction. If you can make it--it's your candy. But
remember, Rathburn, I'm going to try to stop you!"

He walked swiftly out of the door, leaving Rathburn staring at the
smiling girl.

Laura stepped close to him and nodded. Rathburn shook his head.

"I can't see where I've got the right to give Long any more
trouble."

"But he isn't letting you go, Roger. He's putting it up to you, and he
means what he says when he declares he'll try to get you."

"If he does, he'll probably get me," mused Rathburn.

"But maybe he won't get _us_, Roger."

"Us?"

"You and I, Roger. Listen! There's a land 'way up north, Roger. I've
read about it. It's past the desert and the mountains and the
plains--in another country! And there's a river there, Roger--a river
they call Peace River. I've always loved the name. We'll go there,
Roger, you and I--and father can come lat