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.It was a loose trail.The weathered slopes seemed to slide under the feet ofthe horses.Dust-clouds formed; rocks rolled and rattled down; cactus spikestore at horse and rider.Mrs.Beck broke into laughter, and there was a notein it that suggested hysteria.Once or twice Dorothy murmured plaintively.Half the time Madeline could not distinguish those ahead through the yellowdust.It was dry and made her cough.The horses snorted.She heared Stewart close behind, starting little avalanches that kept rollingon Majesty's fetlocks.She feared his legs might he cut or bruised, for someof the stones cracked by and went rattling down the slope.At length theclouds of dust thinned andPage 131ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlMadeline saw the others before her ride out upon a level.Soon she was down,and Stewart also.Here there was a delay, occasioned by Stewart changing Dorothy from his horseto her own.This struck Madeline as being singular, and made her thoughtful.In fact, the alert, quiet manner of all the cowboys was not reassuring.Asthey resumed the ride it was noticeable that Nels and Nick were far inadvance, Monty stayed far in the rear, and Stewart rode with the party.Madeline heard Boyd Harvey ask Stewart if lawlessness such as he had mentionedwas not unusual.Stewart replied that, except for occasional deeds ofoutlawry such as might break out in any isolated section of the country, therehad been peace and quiet along the border for years.It was the Mexicanrevolution that had revived wild times, with all the attendant raids andholdups and gun-packing.Madeline knew that they were really being escortedhome under armed guard.When they rounded the head of the mesa, bringing into view the ranch-house andthe valley, Madeline saw dust or smoke hovering over a hut upon the outskirtsof the Mexican quarters.As the sun had set and the light was fading, shecould not distinguish which it was.Then Stewart set a fast pace for thehouse.In a few minutes the party was in the yard, ready and willing todismount.Stillwell appeared, ostensibly cheerful, too cheerful to deceiveMadeline.She noted also that a number of armed cowboys were walking withtheir horses just below the house."Wal, you-all had a nice little run," Stillwell said, speaking generally."Ireckon there wasn't much need of it.Pat Hawe thinks he's got some outlawscorralled on the ranch.Nothin' at all to be fussed up about.Stewart's thatparticular he won't have you meetin' with any rowdies."Many and fervent were the expressions of relief from Madeline's feminineguests as they dismounted and went into the house.Madeline lingered behind to speak with Stillwell and Stewart."Now, Stillwell, out with it," she said, briefly.The cattleman stared, and then he laughed, evidently pleased withher keenness."Wal, Miss Majesty, there's goin' to be a fight somewhere, an'Stewart wanted to get you-all in before it come off.He says the valley'soverrun by vaqueros an' guerrillas an' robbers, an' Lord knows what else."He stamped off the porch, his huge spurs rattling, and started down the pathtoward the waiting men.Stewart stood in his familiar attentive position, erect, silent, with a handon pommel and bridle."Stewart, you are exceedingly--thoughtful of my interests," she said, wantingto thank him, and not readily finding words."Iwould not know what to do without you.Is there danger?""I'm not sure.But I want to be on the safe side."Page 132ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlShe hesitated.It was no longer easy for her to talk to him, and she did notknow why."May I know the special orders you gave Nels and Nick and Monty?"she asked."Who said I gave those boys special orders?""I heard Stillwell tell them so.""Of course I'll tell you if you insist.But why should you worry oversomething that'll likely never happen?""I insist, Stewart," she replied, quietly."My orders were that at least one of them must be on guard near you day andnight--never to be out of hearing of your voice.""I thought as much.But why Nels or Monty or Nick? That seems rather hard onthem.For that matter, why put any one to keep guard over me? Do you nottrust any other of my cowboys?""I'd trust their honesty, but not their ability.""Ability? Of what nature?""With guns.""Stewart!" she exclaimed."Miss Hammond, you have been having such a good time entertaining your gueststhat you forget.I'm glad of that.I wish you had not questioned me.""Forget what?""Don Carlos and his guerrillas.""Indeed I have not forgotten.Stewart, you still think DonCarlos tried to make off with me--may try it again?""I don't think.I know.""And besides all your other duties you have shared the watch with these threecowboys?""Yes.""It has been going on without my knowledge?""Yes.""Since when?""Since I brought you down from the mountains last month.""How long is it to continue?""That's hard to say.Till the revolution is over, anyhow."She mused a moment, looking away to the west, where the great void was fillingwith red haze.She believed implicitly in him, and the menace hovering nearPage 133ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlher fell like a shadow upon her present happiness."What must I do?" she asked."I think you ought to send your friends back East--and go with them, untilthis guerrilla war is over.""Why, Stewart, they would be broken-hearted, and so would I."He had no reply for that."If I do not take your advice it will be the first time since Ihave come to look to you for so much," she went on."Cannot you suggestsomething else? My friends are having such a splendid visit.Helen isgetting well.Oh, I should be sorry to see them go before they want to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]