above. But this same sharp incline
was now likewise a preventive of escape. Hamlin shook his head as he
recalled to mind its steep ascent, without root or shrub to cling to.
No, it would never do to attempt that; not with her. Perhaps alone he
might scramble up somehow, but with her the feat would be impossible.
He dismissed this as hopeless, his memory of their surroundings
drifting from point to point aimlessly. He saw the whole barren vista
as it last stood revealed under the glow of the sun--the desolate
plateau above, stretching away into the dim north, the brown level of
the plains, broken only by sharp fissures In the surface, treeless,
extending for unnumbered leagues. To east and west the valley, now
scarcely more green than those upper plains, bounded by its verdureless
bluffs, ran crookedly, following the river course, its only sign of
white dominion the rutted trail. Beyond the stream there extended
miles of white sand-dunes, fantastically shapen by the wind, gradually
changing into barren plains of alkali. Between crouched the vigilant
Indian sentinels, alert and revengeful.

Certain facts were clear--to remain meant death, torture for him if
they were taken alive, and worse than death for her. Perspiration
burst out upon his face at the thought. No! Great God! not that; he
would kill her himself first. Yet this was the truth, the truth to be
faced. The nearest available troops were at Dodge, a company of
infantry. If they started at once they could never arrive in time to
prevent an attack at daybreak. The Indians undoubtedly knew this,
realized the utter helplessness of their victims, and were acting
accordingly. Otherwise they would never have lighted that fire nor
remained on guard. Moreover if the two of them should succeed in
stealing forth from the shelter of the coach, should skulk unseen amid
the dense blackness of the overhanging bluff, eluding the watchers,
what would it profit in the end? Their trail would be clear; with the
first gray of dawn those savage trackers would be at work, and they
would be trapped in the open, on foot, utterly helpless even to fight.

The man's hands clenched and unclenched about his rifle-barrel in an
agony of indecision, his eyes perceiving the silhouette of the girl
against the lighter arc of sky. No, not that--not that! They must
hide their trail, leave behind no faintest trace of passage for these
hounds to follow. Yet how could the miracle