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Show 292 replied. As I hesitated, Chilcott came in sight, closely followed by six or eight other men. I cursed myself for not having bought a clip rifle like Chilcott's. With three clips of six shots each, I might have been able to kill every man in the party. I turned and rushed back, planning as l ran. If we took flight afoot, the hellhounds would soon run us down, and there was not time for me to saddle my horse. In my despair I was about to turn again and dash back to attack them from the head of the gulch, where they must come up slowly and could not spread out to surround me. Then I recalled the shouts of Chilcott and Waller when I raced ahead of them. They had thought my horse was running away. Lucy was fast asleep. But she wakened the instant I touched her. I caught her up in my arms and ran towards the rocks above the water hole. "They're coming, dearest- pursuers are coming," I whispered. " Don't be frightened. I'll hide you safe." "You? What will you do?" she breathlessly asked. "Meet them. Have no fear. I'll be safe-- Here I climb up this crevice, in under the rocks. They'll never see you up in there. Quick I I must go back." I set her on her feet. She gave me a trustful glance and darted up the narrow opening, in among the crags. I rushed back to snatch up my blankets and carry them down beside my saddle. Hastily rolling them together, I began to tie them on the saddle. Before I had secured the last knot, the party came up out of the head of the gulch, less than fifty yards away. I sprang to my feet and waved my hat to them. On the instant I was covered by the rifle of every man in the party except Waller. All lowered their weapons at his shrill cry : " Don't shoot I It's Brother Ford I " At once I advanced to meet them, empty-handed. THE MORMON LION " Shoot? " I called out angrily. " What the devil's the matter? " ·: Matter? ".:epeated Chilcott, and he ripped out a funous oath. Thought we'd struck the trail of one of the dirty cusses." "Were they mounted?" I queried. "You don't mean to tell me that Lee let them come out of their camp mounted? " "Lee ain't no sech fool," replied Waller, his shifty eyes peenng past me as we met and the others paused for breath. "Jest the same, two or three of the dev1ls got away. When we struck your trail we calc'lated one of 'em had picked up a stray horse." " What's this young feller doin' here ? That's what I want to know," growled one of the men whose coat-front and dirty flannel shirt were spotted with fresh bloodstains. "Brother Chilcott ":\ll tell you," I replied, and I nodded to Clulcott. That crazy brute of mine bolted right into the Indian ambush-branches almost swept me off. Then they raised their warwhoop, and he bolted out again. Thought I'd never stop him." ,. Chilcott scowled at me in sudden black suspicion. You were gomg at a walk where we struck your trail. How's that? " " After I got him pulled up " I explained "Couldn't have been very far back.1' · " Half a mile up the creek towards the Medders " said Waller. ' ' " And still coming away from the Meadows " added Chilcott. ' "Yes," I said. "It must have been about there. H~ came down from the high ground through the thick bmber-- Had me all turned around. I climbed up here to get my bearings. Got the beast cooled ,down and was just saddling-up. But as long as you re here-there s a fine water hole under the rocks-eome and drink and cool off." |