Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-03-30
CHAPTER w.


beasts-with civility; but here were
males whose lean jaws clamped upon
food with the eager haste of, wolves,
men primitive us. Picts, with less Of
law than Zulus. They were not out
laws from society, for they had never
known society. They were desperadoes
for diversion. i..,.,, s..,
Raymond's motive in thrusting them
out appeared more and more a deed to
win applause. 1t lowered him, made
him less admirable In every way. and
when he spoke to her she withdrew
into herself with a glance which chilli
ed and depressed him.. 5,,j yEji
"Of, course his character il Of no con-
sequence to me-" she thought, except
In SO far as he is likely to influence
Louis" The situation suddenly lost Its
spirit of comedy and took on very
serious cast. The plan Of leaving
sensitive, poetic boy to the company
and influence of men like these became
questionable, even dangerous Baker
was q foolish and stupid person, and
these rough riders troubled her; but
Raymond, to whom the boys eyes al
ready turned with feryent admiration,
was more corrupting still, for whatever
weaknesses he might have would sure
| ly come to be active and vital forces in
debasing others. The whole design, in
| the light of this encounter, assumed the
face of folly
The powerful young rancher, mix
ture of barbarsm and culture, engrOss-
| ed her quite as n mountain lion might
| have done. His action could not be
foretold, and she was amazed to find
herself carried entirely outside herself,
shaken and dismayed. AS he set to
work to put the table in order, silent
and sullen as before, she watched him
| from her corner with intent gaze.
"How deeply can / trust him?" she
asked herself. "Don admires him, and
he certainly is a man of intelligence"
Louis, who had gone tc see the sun
set, called to her ax.itedly, and as she
stepped outside the door she, too,
caught her breath in wonder and adj
miratiOn.
She turned to the dim purple range,
crumpled into ridges and slashed with
deep valleys. "They may be alluring
to you, laddie, but they scare me-a lit
tie. Well, perhaps you'll be able to 60
and see what they are like by and by.
when you are stronger"
"Perhaps Rob will take me. l would
not be afraid of anything with him.
He's a splendid type. Don't you think
soT'
Ann smiled, but answered doubtfully,
HE seems fine, resolute fellow" Her
sisterly anxiety reappeared. But l
don't like to leave you here Buddie.
These men, the best of them, seem
rough and reckless. l think you'd bet
ter go back with me-really l do"
"Oh, no! I'm all right here, sis. Rob
will look after me. It's just what l
need."
maybe it is for the best, but I have
feeling that something Is going to
happen to you. don't like TO go back
without you. I'll stay on day or two
longer anyhow. l want to find out
more about conditions here. / have a
queer feeling at my heart. don't
want to leave you. Let us go in"
A kerosene lamp stood among the
dishes, and the driver of their team
and two late coming horsemen and the
Mexican boy were all eating together.
Raymond was not to be seen, and Ann
realized, with pang of dismay, how
wholly she was depending upon him.
"Without him / shall be scared" she
admitted to herself. The other men
paid very little direct attention TONER
beyond a moments awkward pause
and Il lowering Of their voices. They
continued to discuss the fire and their
days work. 1t was plain that they
were of different temper from the
crowd Raymond had thrown from the
door, and yet they were not progresses
ing
The liveryman, a short, dirty and
very assertive man Of small wit, was
maintaining himself against one of the
riders In an argument II punched
cattle all over them hills" he was say
ing. Il know it's all another fake like
that old Mount HOreb business in 10.
It's nothin' but cattle range-a lot o.
smooth hills
"But they've found the gold. They
can't be no question about it now. I've
got brother up there, and he writes
me-
"They told the same kind O. yarns
about Horeb, and see how it turned out.
They amt an ounce o. gold In this
whole Rampant range. 1t amt the
right kind o. formation"
swell, I'm goin' up there anyhow"
said Baker, "as soon as Barnett can
fill my place"
$50 am l." said one Of the other cow
boys, dark, smileless fellow nearly
forty years Of age.
They're talking about Sky camp"
whispered Louis, 'sthe new mining
town."
The talk among the men shifted again
to a discussion Of the fire. II hope
Bob won't order us out to fight it to-
night. I'm tired as dog" said one OF
the men.
"The way put it up is this" bleat-
ed the llveryman: THAT fire started
from somebody campin' over on Birch
creek, and it's way beyond the ridge.
It's got to cross that rocky wash be-
fore it can do any damage"
"Well, We'll know when Rob gets |