nything and don't tell it.
I don't understand why I suspect you're hiding things but I do; unless
it's that grudge I heard some men say you had against the 'Sorrel'
fellow. Now, you talk. Where do you think that buckboard is?"

"Gone to smash."

Molly screamed at this cool answer, and Leslie threatened his pitchfork.
But it was neither of these things which moved Pete to tersely disclose
his private opinion:

"I know nothin'. I guess shortcut and destruction. Lem knows the trail.
T. Sorrel ain't wuth huntin', nor them boys. Little gal--might--Talk to
Lem. Clear out."

Having relieved his conscience of this much information the man buried
his face again in his blanket and resumed his interrupted repose. Leslie
wasted one moment of indignation upon him, as a heartless human being,
then hurried out of the place and to his father.

When consulted, Lem Hunt hesitated for an instant only, then advised:

"Best get right a-doin' things! No wagons, but fresh hosses and as many
of 'em as want to go. Jiminy cricket! If T. Sorrel branched off where
Pete thinks he did he's done for hisself an' all consarned. Let's be
steppin'!"

Fortunately, there were plenty of fresh horses at "Roderick's" that
night. A drove of them were corralled behind the inn, _en route_ from a
distant ranch to Denver, and thence eastward to market. All of them were
well broken, to the saddle at least, and the best were promptly led out
for Mr. Ford's selection, leaving his own beasts to rest for the next
day's travel. Also, the drivers eagerly offered their own company,
mounting without their saddles, which they insisted upon lending to the
less experienced riders.

Excitement followed Lemuel's advice to "Be steppin'," and a very few
minutes' of bustling activity saw the cavalcade lined up before the inn
with him for leader. It numbered Mr. Ford, Herbert and Monty, of that
party; with Noll Roderick himself and three drovers. That Leslie had not
joined the riders was due to his mother's anxiety for his health, though
his father had rather favored his going. The lad had been indignant at
the "molly-coddling" and had hurt the tender heart of the Gray Lady by
some angry words. Then he had walked away to the extreme end of the long
piazza, whence he watched the disappearance of the rescuers down the
moonlight road. As the horses' footfalls died in the distance, his
grumblings were interrupted by a light touch on his arm.

"Come around this corner, boy! H