The Border Legion

Joan Randle rode on and on, through the canon, out at its head and

over a pass into another canon, and never did she let it be possible

for Kells to see her eyes until she knew beyond peradventure of a

doubt that they hid the strength and spirit and secret of her soul.

The time came when traveling was so steep and rough that she must

think first of her horse and her own safety. Kells led up over a

rock-jumbled spur of range, where she had sometimes to follow on

foot. It seemed miles across that wilderness of stone. Foxes and

wolves trotted over open places, watching stealthily. All around

dark mountain peaks stood up. The afternoon was far advanced when

Kells started to descend again, and he rode a zigzag course on

weathered slopes and over brushy benches, down and down into the

canons again.

A lonely peak was visible, sunset-flushed against the blue, from the

point where Kells finally halted. That ended the longest ride Joan

had ever made in one day. For miles and miles they had climbed and

descended and wound into the mountains. Joan had scarcely any idea

of direction. She was completely turned around and lost. This spot

was the wildest and most beautiful she had ever seen. A canon headed

here. It was narrow, low-walled, and luxuriant with grass and wild

roses and willow and spruce and balsam. There were deer standing

with long ears erect, motionless, curious, tame as cattle. There

were moving streaks through the long grass, showing the course of

smaller animals slipping away.

Then under a giant balsam, that reached aloft to the rim-wall, Joan

saw a little log cabin, open in front. It had not been built very

long; some of the log ends still showed yellow. It did not resemble

the hunters' and prospectors' cabins she had seen on her trips with

her uncle.

In a sweeping glance Joan had taken in these features. Kells had

dismounted and approached her. She looked frankly, but not directly,

at him.

"I'm tired--almost too tired to get off," she said.

"Fifty miles of rock and brush, up and down! Without a kick!" he

exclaimed, admiringly. "You've got sand, girl!"

"Where are we?"

"This is Lost Canon. Only a few men know of it. And they are--

attached to me. I intend to keep you here."

"How long?" She felt the intensity of his gaze.

"Why--as long as--" he replied, slowly, "till I get my ransom."

"What amount will you ask?"