The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-07-16
CHAPTER VI.

The wind charged down upon them. slam
ming the door at their backs. extinguishing the
broad shaft OF light that had nome tarily shot
out into the darkness. and swept them dozen
yards away. Gaining the lee Of madrono tree
Lance opened his blanketed arms. EMBODIED the
girl. and felt her for one brief moment trembe
and nestle in his bosom like some frightened
animal. Well" he said. gayly. what next2"
Flip recovered herself You're safe now any
where outside the house. But did you expect
them tonight 2" Lance shrugged his Shout
| ders. Why not?' "Hush!" returned the
girl; they're coming this way"
The four Pickering scattered lights presently
dropped into line. The trail had been found :;
| they were coming nearer. Flip breathed
| quickly the spiced aroma Of her presence filed
| the blanket as he drew her tightly beside him.
He had forgotten the storm that ragged around
them. the mysterious foe that was approach
ing, until Flip caught his sleeve with slight
laugh. Why its Kennedy and BiJah ?"
Who's Kennedy and Bijah2" asked Lance.
! curly. Kennedy's the Postmaster and BIZ
| jah's the butcher" What do they wantf"
continued Lance. Me-" said Flip. coyly.
Your" Yes: let's run away"
| Half leading. half dragging her friend. Flip
made her way with unerrinG woodcrait down
the ravne. The sound Of voices and even the
tumult OF the storm became fainter. an acrid
| eLucli Vi UuIHlHB green WOOu bIUHTteu Lance y
| lips and eyes; in the midst of the darkness
beneath him gradually faint, gigantic nimbus
like lurd eye glowed and sank. Quivered and
faded with the spent breath Of the gale as 1t PEN
| etratcd their retreat. The pit" whispered
| Flip; It's safe on the other side" she added.
cautiously skirting the orbit OF the great eye and
leading him to q sheltered nest OF bark and saw
dust. twas warm and odorous. Nevertheless.
they both deemed it necessary to enwrap them
selves in the single blanket. The eye beamed iit-
fully upon them. occasionally a wave OF lambert
tremulousness passed across it; its weirdness
was an excuse for their drawing nearer each
other in playful terror.
Flip"
We'll r.
What did the other two want2 TO see you.
tooi"
Likely" said Flip. without the least trace
OF coquetry. There's been lot Of strangers
yer, of and on"
Perhaps you'd like to 60 back and see
| them2
| DO you want me to Z"
Lance's reply was kiss. Nevertheless he
was vaguely uneasy. Looks little as if
were running away. don't 2" he suggested.
No" said Flip they think you're only a
sQuaw; it's me they're after" Lance smarted
a little at this infelicitous speech. A strange
| and irritating sensation had been creeping
over HINT was his first experience OF shame
and remorse. Il reckon I'll go back and see"
he said. rising abruptly
Flip was silent. She was thinking. Believ-
ing that the men were seeking her only, she
knew that their attention would be directed
from her companion when 1t was found out he
was no longer with her. and she dreaded to
meet them in his irritable presence.
Go" she said. tell Dad something's gone
| Al.
ing it for him here"
And your"
I'm go there and wait for him. If he can't
get rid Of them. and they follow him there. III
come back here and meet you. Anyhow III
manage to have Dad wait there a spell"
She took his hand and led him back by dlf-
ferent path to the trail. He was surprised to
find that the cabin. its window glowing from
the fire. was only hundred yards away. Go
In the back way. by the shed. Don't go In the
room, nor near the light il you can. Don't talk
inside but call or beckon to Dad. Remember"
she said with a laugh, you're keeping watch
OF me for him. Pull your hair down on your
eyes. So" This operation. like most feminine
embellishments Of the masculine toilet was.
attended by kiss. and Flip. stepping back
into the shadow. vanished in the storm.
Lances first movements were Inconsistent
with his assumed SEX He picked up his drag
gled skirt and drew bowie knife from his
boot. From his bosom he took revolver.
turning the chambers noselessly as he felt tho
caps. He then crept toward tho cabin softly
and gained the shed. 1t was quite dark but for
pencil Of light piercing crack Of the rude ill
fitting door that opened on tho sitting room.
A single voice not unfamiliar to him. raised In
half brutal triumph. greeted his ears. name
was mentloned-hs ownl His angry hand was
on the latch. Ono moment moro and he would
have burst the door but In that instant another
name was uttered-a name that dropped his
hand from the latch and the blood from his
cheeks. He staggered backward. passed his
hand swiftly across his forehead. recovered
himself with q gesture OF mingled rage and
despair, and sinking on his knees beside the
door pressed his hot tenn pies against the crack.
Do know Lance Harrlott2' said the voice.
Do know the ID ruiIian2 Didn't hunt
him year ago into the brush three miles from
the Crossng1 Didn't we lose sight Of him the
very day he turned up yer at this ranch, and
got struggled over into Monterrey Amt 1t the
same man as killed Arkansaw Bob-Bob Rid
! ley-the name he went by in Sonora And who