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Show 294 THE MORMON LION My facile explanation and careless manner deceived most of the party. Chilcott's frown deepened, but not with increased suspicion. "Cool off? "he growled. "We're alter those two cusses that we know got away." " Sure you hain't seen nothin' of 'em? "asked one of the men. "No--" I hesitated. "And yet- it might have been a man, after all! " " Hey!-- What ? " shouted the murderers, their faces lighting with ferocious eagerness. " Out with it, boy! " ordered Chilcott, and he gripped my shoulder so hard that I thought he would crush the bones. " Yonder," I said, pointing off to the south-cast. "Let go. I'll show you." He released me. I ran to the head of the gulch, shouting back over my shoulder: " Must have been an hour ago-- Come to see if I could lead my horse down again." I stopped, and as the others came hurrying down about me, I pointed across the valley to the opposite hei{l'hts. ' There's the place, over on that ridge, at the break in the pines. I saw something streak across the open. Thought it was a deer ; but it may have been a man, stooped low. He was out of the brush and in again in two shakes, and I didn't look close. Never thought a single one of the cusses could get away, after what Jake told me." " Bet he come down the spring creek, an' 's heading cross country to strike the road down near the Clara Canyon," said Waller. Several of the party were already starting to lead their horses down the gulch. " Sling on your saddle, Dave," ordered Chilcott. " Almighty! If only one of us had seen the cussed devil. You're no mountain man. But we'll catch him yet. Hurry up." THE MORMON LION 295 " Go on. I'll overtake you! " I replied, and I ran back towards my horse. Not until I picked up my saddle did I venture to look around. Chilcott and the strangers had all disappeared down the gulch. But Waller had left his pony and followed me. He was almost at my elbow! "What in- -" I stammered. "Go on! go on! I'll catch up! " He gave me a look of sly cunning, and cackled: "'Tain't no use, Dave. You can't pull the wool over my eyes." " What d'you mean? " I retorted. My hand went to my hip as I dropped the saddle. "None of that," he warned. ' You know I'm quicker on the draw. Even supposing you got me, your shot'd bring 'em back. No, you jest keep on xour shirt, Dave. I'm trying to let you down easy. fhat's whY. I kept my head shut before them. They're sttll mighty hot. They'd have shot you down, as well as her." " Her? " I echoed, with ill-acted astonishment. " Are you crazy ? " "Not half's much as you, trying to save her. You're plumb loony, trying to buck agin counsel." "But I tell you, Jake--" " 'T ain't no use, Dave," he cackled. "I led 'em up the gulch where she had to walk. Seen her shoe tracks in half a dozen places. If I hadn't stepped on 'em, the whole shootin'-match would've saw 'em." I held out my hand to the grinning little rascal. "Thank Heaven, Jake, you were in the lead! I can count on you. You haven't forgotten that I saved you from the penitentiary." "No, I hain't," he agreed. "I might've if you hadn't proved yourself a mighty good Saint since. That's whY. I ain't going to see you shot as an apostate. So Jest you fetch out that gal an' slit her th~oat. ,We can catch up with the boys inside a mile, an they 11 never know you backslid. I'll never tell." |