Straight across the prairie she galloped, not daring to stop for an

instant, with the voice pursuing her. For hours it seemed to ring in her

ears, and even after she was far beyond any possibility of hearing it she

could not be sure but there was now and then a faint echo of it ringing

yet, "Hello!"--ringing like some strange bird amid the silence of the

world.

There were cattle and sheep grazing on the bench, and the horse would fain

have stopped to dine with them; but the girl urged him on, seeming to make

him understand the danger that might be pursuing them.

It was hours before she dared stop for the much-needed rest. Her brain had

grown confused with the fright and weariness. She felt that she could not

much longer stay in the saddle. She might fall asleep. The afternoon sun

would soon be slipping down behind the mountains. When and where dared she

rest? Not in the night, for that would be almost certain death, with wild

beasts about.

A little group of greasewood offered a scanty shelter. As if the beast

understood her thoughts he stopped with a neigh, and looked around at her.

She scanned the surroundings. There were cattle all about. They had looked

up curiously from their grazing as the horse flew by, but were now going

quietly on about their business. They would serve as a screen if any

should be still pursuing her. One horse among the other animals in a

landscape would not be so noticeable as one alone against the sky. The

greasewood was not far from sloping ground where she might easily flee for

hiding if danger approached.

The horse had already begun to crop the tender grass at his feet as if his

life depended upon a good meal. The girl took some more beans from the

pack she carried, and mechanically ate them, though she felt no appetite,

and her dry throat almost refused to swallow. She found her eyes shutting

even against her will; and in desperation she folded the old coat into a

pillow, and with the horse's bridle fastened in her belt she lay down.

The sun went away; the horse ate his supper; and the girl slept. By and by

the horse drowsed off too, and the bleating sheep in the distance, the

lowing of the cattle, the sound of night-birds, came now and again from

the distance; but still the girl slept on. The moon rose full and round,

shining with flickering light through the cottonwoods; and the girl

stirred in a dream and thought some one was pursuing her, but slept on

again. Then out through the night rang a vivid human voice, "Hello!

Hello!" The horse roused from his sleep, and stamped his feet nervously,

twitching at his bridle; but the relaxed hand that lay across the leather

strap did not quicken, and the girl slept on. The horse listened, and

thought he heard a sound good to his ear. He neighed, and neighed again;

but the girl slept on.




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