Part 46 (1/2)
After a while he heard two hors.e.m.e.n following him. He did not pull up; time was precious, and if the others wished to overtake him, he had no doubt that they could do so. During the next few minutes it became evident that they were gaining, and he heard a cry which he answered without stopping. Then, as the moon came through, another shout reached him, sharp and commanding:
”Stop, before we drop you!”
This was not to be disregarded. Pulling up, he turned his horse. Two mounted men rode furiously down on him, loose snow flying about their horses, and one poised a carbine across his saddle. Struggling to check his horse, he swept past, shouting to his comrade:
”Hold on! It's Prescott!”
They were a little distance ahead when they stopped and trotted back, and Prescott waited until Curtis pulled up at his side.
”Where were you going?” cried the corporal.
”After Wandle.”
”I might have guessed!” said Curtis savagely, and turned to Stanton.
”This explains the thing.”
”How far is he ahead of you?” Stanton asked.
”He got off half an hour before I did, as near as I can guess.”
They sat silent for a moment or two, breathless and crestfallen, their horses distressed.
”Let's get into the lee of the bluff yonder; this wind's keen,” Curtis said.
”You're losing time,” Prescott objected.
”We've lost it,” Curtis told him grimly. ”My mount has been out since noon, and it's near midnight now. Stanton's isn't much fresher.”
Prescott rode with them to the bluff, where they got down.
”That's a relief; it's quite a while since I could feel the bridle,” said Curtis, turning to Prescott. ”How did you scare Wandle off? Be as quick as you can!”
Prescott briefly related what led to his call at the farm and the corporal's face was filled with scornful anger.
”This is what comes of you blamed amateurs b.u.t.ting in!” he remarked.
”Jernyngham was bad enough, but he can't come near you at mussing up our plans. Guess you don't know that we've been watching Wandle for some weeks, ready to corral him, and you start him off like this, without warning.”
”I'd reason to believe you were watching me,” Prescott dryly rejoined.
”Oh, well,” said Curtis, ”that's another matter. Anyhow, I had trailed Wandle to Kelly's place since dark, and I'd trotted round to see if he'd got back to his homestead when I found that he had gone. Stanton and I were prospecting out this way when we struck your trail.”
”What are you going to do about it?”
”We'll make the next farm and try to borrow horses. Then I'll ride to the railroad and get the wires to work. Stanton will keep the trail by Long Lake.”
”Then I'll push right on by the Traverse. There's a ranch I should make by daylight where I might get a mount. I'm going to see the thing through.”