She was deep in the cogitations that pressed her continually when she realized that Bobs had halted of his own accord on the bald peak.
Below her the lake lay a glistening6 quietude in the verdant7 lap of the Valley. Vagrant8 breaths of tiny squalls dimpled the water here and there shading it with fleeting9 frowns. Beneath her the Storm Rock hung on the glassy sheet suspended between two skies. Cottonwoods and ragged10 oak formed an inviting11 bower12. The island so lonely and silent had an unusual attraction for her.
"You dear little covert," she whispered. "How I should like to hide in you to-day!"
With a sigh she turned Bobs down the hill and into Willow14 Glade15 where she must perforce halt again and muse16 in the precious nook with its haunting memories.
Throughout the day the children of The Craggs wondered at the frequent periods of preoccupation that would creep over their usually so attentive17 teacher. They were deeply touched by the singular gentleness with which she resumed the task. For all their mute sympathy the hours lagged strangely.
Nick Ford18 wasted no time in addressing himself to the task he had resolved upon. It is hard to travel back over the devious19 way one has come when that way has been too devious. To carry out his resolution would involve a divulging20 of most unpleasant facts. He knew of the intimate relations of Mary and Ned and trusted to Ned finding some way of foiling the designs of the plotters once he was acquainted with the fact that there was a plot. Hitching22 his horse he set out for the homestead with laudable dispatch.
He was bowling24 along, passing through a bluff25 not far from his destination when a shadow darted26 out of the trees ahead and his horse stopped abruptly27. His attention was directed to the unusual movements at his horse's head when he felt a strong hand close tightly on his arm. Turning with an exclamation29 of surprise he looked into the grinning countenance30 of Reddy Sykes.
"Good-day, Nick!" was the quiet greeting. "Making a little morning run, eh?"
"Hello, Sykes!" he replied innocently. "What are you doing here?"
Sykes grinned afresh.
"Let it out, Nick," was the reply. "You're heading for Pullar's. We've been waiting for you. I saw the yellow streak31 in you last night. We decided32 to head you off. You spoke33 about skunks34 in your little spiel. You're right and we've trapped the same polecat this morning."
At the words he dragged the other from the vehicle. Realizing his helplessness in the powerful hands of Sykes Nick decided to submit quietly to the will of his captor. Taking him into the trees Sykes sought to force a confession35. But he found Nick had no particular use for free speech just then.
"Hide his horse and rig in the bluff," directed Sykes, addressing Foyle. "We'll gag this scab and hitch21 him to a tree for the present. If I make the get-away you can send somebody in to let him go."
In the depths of the bluff they gagged him and tying his hands behind his back strapped36 him to a big tree with his leather lines. Satisfied of the security of their prisoner they slipped quietly out of sight.
During the noon hour Ned joined Mary in another ride in which arrangements were perfected for their sudden nuptials37. Resting in his arms at parting she looked up into his eyes.
"I am looking forward to our ride to-morrow, Ned," said she. "But how I should have delighted to set out on the great adventure from the doorstep of Mother and Dad!"
"Keep them back, Mary!" enjoined38 Ned cheeringly as he saw the tears shine in her eyes. Wrapping his sheltering arms about her he whispered the optimism of his great heart into her fluttering spirit.
"In our heart of hearts, Mary," said he, "we both deplore39 this premature40 wedding. But it is the only sane41 thing for us to do. Your mother will agree with us when you tell her to-night. She will bless us. It is the one way of assuring your protection. I believe another desirable and most wonderful result will follow. It will break the spell Sykes has cast over your father. A complete severance42 with Sykes and the crash of his house of cards will restore your father to you clothed and in his right mind."
At the words Ned felt the pressure of dear lips on his.
"Thank you, Ned!" were her happy words. "That is beautiful of you. And you do not hate Father after all his injustice43?"
"No, Mary, I pity him. It is after all his greater misfortune."
"Good-bye," said she at last. "It is very hopeful after all. Meet me at the Buffalo Peak in the morning and we'll ride away into the days of our happy dreams."
Ned watched from the edge of the trees until the small white figure disappeared within the schoolhouse. He was troubled as she vanished from sight. It occurred to him that she was very frail44 and lonely. He had a powerful impression that he should ride through the Valley with her in the evening as she returned to her home. He had proposed accompanying her to the Peak at least, but she had demurred45. It was better that they should not be seen together. There were eyes that would draw pertinent46 conclusions that might wreck47 everything. Reluctantly he turned Darkey into the trail leading to the homestead.
The last few minutes with Ned greatly lightened Mary's spirits. She felt that a wise providence48 was guiding them. On the heels of her great depression there followed the ecstasy49 of a greater hope. Even storm-clouds show a silver edge at times.
Shortly after four Bobs and his rider set out for home. The day had been bright, but as the afternoon sped away a belt of blue clouds appeared in the north. From distant bluffs50 came the murmurous51 roar of a rising breeze. As she topped a ridge52 gusts53 of cold wind swept up behind her and rushed past, imbuing54 Bobs with the storm panic. He scurried55 down the trail at a spanking56 canter. Very soon they rode over the crest57 of the Cut and down into its sheltering trees. She was riding along immersed in her momentous58 reflections when the sudden pricking59 forward of Bobs' ears recalled her to the task of guiding him down the ravine. The cause of his interest she discovered in a vehicle ahead. It was slowly threading the Cut, evidently on its way to Pellawa. She was rapidly overhauling60 it. While conjecturing61 the personnel of its passengers it wheeled out of sight about a sharp curve of the hill. She followed, cantering a moment later into a narrowed pocket of the dip. She slowed her horse, for before her the road ran over a pretty bridge, scarcely wide enough for comfort in passing a carriage. The equipage had stopped upon the bridge, crowding close to one side, leaving thus plenty of room for her to pass. Sending Bobs ahead she walked him upon the bridge. As she drew abreast62 of the vehicle she was startled to recognize Chesley Sykes. An alarm leaped into her breast at meeting him there, for the gulch63 was deep and thickly wooded. It was a hidden bit of road.
Lifting his hat casually64, Sykes addressed her in a friendly voice.
"Good-day, Miss McClure! An unexpected meeting!"
As he spoke, Bobs came to an abrupt28 stop. Mary glanced ahead. Foyle stood in their path, his hands grasping the bridle65 rein66. Instantly the girl realized an ambuscade. With a low, frightened cry she plunged67 the spurs into Bobs' flanks. Blocked in front he reared, tossing his head. His wild leap lifted Foyle and threw him over the railing of the bridge. A second leap and he snapped the rein out of Foyle's hands, dropping him into the water beneath. He had shaken one assailant, however, only to be confronted by another.
"Do not be alarmed, Mary," called Sykes, as he grasped the bridle. "No harm will come to you." With Bobs plunging68 violently, the girl drew the automatic.
"Let go," was her stern command, "or I'll shoot."
"Blaze away, Mary!" was the cool reply, as he dodged69 for shelter behind Bobs' head.
Unhesitatingly the girl pulled and the gun spat23 its stream of lead. In the confusion of the leaping horse and her dodging70 target with the effort to sit her saddle, the balls went wide. Not all, however, for twice came the soft wheeze71 of ball piercing flesh. As the balls went home, Sykes cried out, though his vigour72 remained unimpaired. Aware that the clip was empty she dropped the gun and addressed herself to sitting the saddle and urging Bobs in his furious struggles to free himself.
Snorting in terror, the horse leaped into the ditch, dragging Sykes with him into the trees. Plunging violently the horse galloped73 up the hillside through the grove74. Mary kept her seat, Bobs dodging in wild plunging leaps among the trunks, until a low limb swept across their path. She could not avoid it and it caught her full in the face, sweeping75 her from the saddle. The powerful rebound76 of the strong branch flung her to the ground, where she lay quiet, a bit of white in the shrubs77.
Relieved of her weight and still further terrorized, Bobs tore free from Sykes and whirling about, dashed down the Cut. Running quickly to where the still figure lay in the underbrush, Sykes picked it up in his arms and carried it into a thicket78 of great trees. At that instant Foyle ran up.
"Got the girl!" he applauded.
"Catch that horse," directed Sykes. "If he gets away he'll bring a nest of hornets about our ears. Run the carriage out of sight until we are ready. We made some change in our plans this morning. We are crossing the lake to Magee's Cove13. The horses are waiting there. It saves us a ten-mile run about the frequented Pellawa end. The boat is ready near Grant's Landing. I am making a further change in our plans. McClure thinks we are taking the Limited for the West. Instead we are making a bee-line for Uncle Sam's the instant we reach the Cove. The plucky79 chit got me twice in the right arm. Only flea80 bites, but they are messing me up rather for a crowded Pullman. Hold the carriage ready. You'll never catch that broncho."
Foyle hastened away to do Sykes' bidding.
As Sykes looked upon the face so cruelly torn he was touched. He passed his hand over his brow irresolute81. Only a moment and the compunction vanished. Shutting his jaw82 he muttered in determination:
"I've got you at last, Mary, and you stay with me. Nothing in God's world will take you from me—and live."
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1
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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sequester
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| vt.使退隐，使隔绝 | |
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3
zestful
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| adj.有滋味 | |
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refreshingly
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| adv.清爽地，有精神地 | |
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5
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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10
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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13
cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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14
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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16
muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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17
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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18
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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19
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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20
divulging
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| v.吐露，泄露( divulge的现在分词 ) | |
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21
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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22
hitching
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| 搭乘； （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的现在分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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23
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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24
bowling
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| n.保龄球运动 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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29
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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30
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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31
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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32
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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33
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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34
skunks
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| n.臭鼬( skunk的名词复数 )；臭鼬毛皮；卑鄙的人；可恶的人 | |
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35
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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36
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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37
nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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38
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
deplore
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| vt.哀叹，对...深感遗憾 | |
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40
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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42
severance
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| n.离职金；切断 | |
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43
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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44
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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45
demurred
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| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
pertinent
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| adj.恰当的；贴切的；中肯的；有关的；相干的 | |
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47
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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48
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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49
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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50
bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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51
murmurous
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| adj.低声的 | |
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52
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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53
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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54
imbuing
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的现在分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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55
scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
spanking
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| adj.强烈的，疾行的；n.打屁股 | |
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57
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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58
momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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59
pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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60
overhauling
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| n.大修；拆修；卸修；翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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61
conjecturing
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| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
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62
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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63
gulch
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| n.深谷，峡谷 | |
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64
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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65
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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66
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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67
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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68
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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69
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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71
wheeze
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| n.喘息声，气喘声；v.喘息着说 | |
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72
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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73
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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74
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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75
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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76
rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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77
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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78
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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79
plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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80
flea
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| n.跳蚤 | |
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81
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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82
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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