A very little insistence induced Lahoma to comply,and both the young man and the former highwayman saw her go with disappointment.Kimball and his friends went into the Dining Hallto gulp down a hasty meal,and Wilfred entered with them.He remained only a moment,however,just long enough to purchase a number of sandwiches which he stored away,as if meaning to eat them in the coach.
As soon as he was in the single street with the door closed behind him,he darted toward the stage barn,and by means of a handsome deposit obtained two horses.Springing upon one,he rode rapidly from the settlement,leading the other,and in a short time,came in sight of a cabin,which,with its outhouses,was the only building in all the wide expanse.From its appearance he knew it to be the one described to Lahoma,and he galloped up to the door with the certainty of finding her within.The big wagon had been unhitched,and the horses were fastened to its wheels,eating from the bed.
The family was about to sit down to supper;the first to discover.
Wilfred as he flitted past the single window in the side of the cabin,was Lahoma.Before he could knock on the door,she had opened it.
Oh,Wilfred!she reproached him,they'll miss you and know you've come to consult with me about warning Brick.
Quick,Lahoma!said Wilfred,as if she had not spoken,you can ride a horse,I suppose?He smiled,but his eyes were sparkling with impatience.
In a flash,Lahoma's face was glowing with enthusiasm.She looked back into the room and cried,Good-by!Then Wilfred swung her to the back of the led horse.We'll beat 'em!cried Lahoma,as he sprang upon his horse.Fast as you please--I've never been left behind,yet!
The young man noted with sudden relief that she was dressed for the hardships of the prairie.It came to him with a sense of wonder that he had not noticed that before,perhaps from never having seen her in fashionable attire.As they galloped from the cabin,from whose door looked astonished faces,Lahoma answered his thought--
Up there,she said,nodding her head toward the East,I dressed for people--but out here,for wind and sand.
Looking back,she saw the family running out of the cottage,waving handkerchiefs and bonnets as in the mad joy of congratulation.
They think we're running away together!shouted Wilfred with exultation.The hurry of their flight,the certainty of pursuit,the prospect of dangers from man and nature,thrilled his blood,fixed his jaw,illumined his eye.All life seemed suddenly a flight across a level world whose cloud of yellow dust enveloped only himself and Lahoma.They think we're running away together.Look at them,Lahoma.How happy they are at the idea!
They don't know there's nobody to object,if we don't,returned Lahoma gaily,as she urged on her steed.Come along,Wilfred,she taunted,as his horse fell a neck behind hers,what are you staying back THERE for?Tired?If we get into the trail before that coach starts,we'll have to put on all speed.
Doing my best,he called,but I made a bad bargain when I got this beast.This is his best lick,and it doesn't promise to last long.However,it was the only one left at the barn.
Lahoma slightly checked her animal.That's a good thing,anyway--if there's none left,those horrible men can't follow.
Wilfred did not answer.He was sure the stage would be driven in pursuit at breakneck speed,and from the breathing of his horse he feared it could not long endure the contest.To be sure,Red Kimball and his men had no lawful excuse to offer the stage-driver for an attempt to stop them;but three men who had once been desperate highwaymen might not look for lawful excuses on a dark night in a dreary desert.Besides,Kimball might,with some show of reason,argue that since he was bent on the legitimate object of having a writ served on Brick Willock,he would be justified in preventing Brick from being warned out of the country.
They galloped on in silence,Lahoma slightly holding back.Night rapidly drew on.
