The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1931-05-29
CHAPTER II-Continued


A hundred feet or SO from the
camp he refined in his horse abruptly,
half turned in his saddle, and with his
free hand swung Sabra gently to the
ground, leaning far from his saddle
and keeping firm hold on CHM and
reins as he did so. He placed the
child in her appraised arms, wheeled,
and was gone before she could open
her lips to frame word of thanks.
The piece of deer meat, neatly wrapped,
lay on the ground at her feet. She
stood staring after the galloping figure,
dumbly. She took Gins hand. To-
gether they ran toward the camp.
Isaiah had fire going, a pot Of coffee
bubbling. His greeting to CHM was
sternly admonitory. Ten minutes
later Yancey galloped in. empty
handed.
''What a chase he led me! Twice
thought I had him. I'd have run him
into Texas If hadn't thought you'd
be-"
Sabra, for the first time since her
marriage, felt superior to him; was
impatient Of his tale Of prowess. She
had her own story to tell, spiced with
Indignation. .. and just when
/ was ready to die with fright, there
he was, talking to those four men, and
sitting on-the knee Of one Of them as
though he'd known him all his life,
eating nuts"
Yancey seemed less interested in the
part that she and Gin had played in
the adventure than in the appearance
and behavior Of the four men in the
draw, and especially the charming
young man who had so calamity
brought them back.
''Thin faced, was he? And young
ster? About nineteen or twenty?
What else?"
ooh, low voice. end kind Of sweet,
as though he sang tenor. And his
teeth"
Yancey interrupted. "Long, weren't
they? The two at the side, mean.
Like wolf's|
ayes. now did you DO you know
him."
"Sort Of" Yancey answered thought
fully.
Sabra was piqued. SIT was lucky for
us it was some one who knows you,
probably. Because you don't seem
to care much about what happened to
us-what might have happened"
"You said you wanted to go a.
pioneering"
@Well?"
.'This is it. Stir that fire, Isaiah.
Sabra, get that meat a-frizzling. Be
cause we're moving on"
snow? Tonight? But it's late. I
Thought we were camping here for the
night"
"We'll eat and get going. Moon
light tonight. / don't just like it here.
There's been lot Of time lost this
afternoon. Well push on. In an
other day or so, with luck, we1l be in
Usage, snug and safe"
They ate hurriedly. Yancey seemed
restless, anxious to be off.
They jolted on. Gin slept, little
ball of WEAKNESS, in the back of the
wagon. Isaiah drowsed beside Sabra.
She must have doZed off, for suddenly
the SUMS rays were sharply slanted,
and she shivered with the cool of the
prairie night air. Voices had awak-
ened her. Three horsemen had dashed
out of little copse and stood in the
path of Yancey's lead wagon. They
were heavily armed Their hands
rested on their guns. Their faces were
grim. All three wore the badge of
United States marshals, but there was
about them something that announced
this even before the eye was caught
by their badge of Office. The leader
addressed Yancey, his voice mild, even
gentle.
''Howdy."
@Howdy."
''Where you bound for, pardner?"
AOsage."
The questioner's hand rested lightly
on the butt of the six-shooter at his
waist. what might your name beY'
"Cravat-Yancey Cravat."
The spokesman's face lighted up
? with the slow, incredulous smile of a
delighted child. 'rll be doggoned -
] Returned his slow grin on the man at
mis- right, on the man at his left.
i'Yancey Cravat" he said again. SIS
hough they had not heard. Il sure
Am pleased to make your acquaintance.
Heard about you till 1 feel like I
knew you"
-Why. thanks" replied Yancey, un-
usually modest and laconic. Sabra