Part 2 (1/2)
The idea was simply to keep them in formation till they were launched forth upon the trail Vosper, the cook, led three horses with riding saddles at the end of the line
Virginia had changed to outing clothes when she ee of the innkeeper Bill bea the honors, ”this is Mr Vosper, ill cook the beans”
Both nodded, the girl s oence to remove his hat! The first instinct of the woodsman was to march toward him and inflict physical violence for such an insult to his queen, but he caught hied in the encounter, would likely refuse toall their plans
But at that instant Bill forgot all about it He suddenly noticed his eazed in open-inia and Lounsbury ell gotten up according to their idea of proper garb for outdoor people Thehabit and stock, the girl a beautifully tailored, fine-textured lady's riding habit Both were iinia are of a distinct eone wrong Lounsbury took refuge in hauteur
”Well?” he demanded icily
”Excuse me,” Bill replied ”But those aren't--are those the clothes you're going to wear on the trip?”
”We're not parading for any one's benefit, I hope,” was the sarcastic answer ”These are our rough clothes Have you any objections to 'euide's eyes puckered about the corners ”No, sir--not any objections--and they'd be all right for a day or two--until bad weather But they are hardly the togs for the North What you want is a good pair of slicker pants, both of you, and plenty of wool inside
Also a rubber coat of soood snow those clothes would just melt away If you'll coht on one of the horses for the ti the hotel----”
Virginia's confusion had departed, giving way to mirth, but Lounsbury ollen and purple rath ”You--you----” he began His face grew crafty ”I suppose you get a coarment you sell”
Bill turned rather quiet eyes on the man; and for one little instant the craven that dwelt under Lounsbury's skin told him he had said one sentence too many; but he took heart when Bill looked away ”I'll keep what I've got on,” he announced ”I'inia, we'll start on”
”Wait just a irl replied coolly She turned to Bill ”You say these won't do at all?”
”They'll be torn off of you in the brush, Miss Tremont And they won't turn the cold and the snow, either This is the North, you know”
”Then I, for one, as, Bronson”
They left Lounsbury fu in the road, and they had a rather enjoyable ten arb He selected a pair of slicker pants to wear over riding trousers, a coat lined with sheepskin, boy's size, and an aardly made but effective rubber coat for outside hen the snow lay on the branches It was not, Virginia decided, quite like choosing gowns at herat the end
Bill unhitched a pack, inserted the bundle of clothes, then bracing his boots against the horse's side pulled and tugged until the pack was right again ”You'll be glad you've got these things before the trip is done,” he prophesied He pointed to the North, an unlooked for sobriety upon his face
Far against the horizon the clouds were beginning to spread, dark and gray and strange, over the northern hills These were not the clouds of surim and dreadful foe who had his ramparts in the wilds, and his ambush laid for such feeble creatures as would dare to brave his fastness
Bill Bronson gave his last directions, tightened the last cinch, and slipped his rifle into the saddle scabbard ”There's just one thing more--the choice of horses,” he said ”Miss Tremont, of course you can take your pick” His tone was trustful ”Of course that will be all right with the other gentleely, neither of the two estion with especial enthusiasood and a safe horse,” Lounsbury said evenly ”Of course you must provide Miss Trehed, ever so softly He returned to Vosper, but if the latter had any suggestions to offer, the hard eyes of the guide caused hiood horses--and safe horses--aren't to be found in the saood horse--one that'll take the mud and swim the river and stand up under the day's march--he'll likely have too much sense and spirit to be safe He'll et on and buck you off if he thinks he can get aith it If you've got a safe horse, one that's scared to death of you, he won't be a good horse--a yellow cuss that has to be dragged through every mud-puddle These are all Indian ponies, the best that can be got up here, but they're not old ladies' driving mares Miss Tremont, the best horse in this bunch is my bay, Mulvaney--but nobody can ride him but me I'd love to let you ride hi for you to try it But he doesn't knohat fear is, and he doesn't knohen to give up”
The man spoke soberly It holly plain that Mulvaney was very dear to his heart Men do not ride over the caribou trails without engendering strong feelings toward their mounts Sometimes it is love
And not unusually it is detestation
”That little black there--Buster, we call him--is the next best bet
It's an i, and I'll tell you about hiot him he was supposed to be the most vicious aniot a vicious hair on his head But he will try to get away, and he will dance a bit when you first get on and wheel in circles, and he's hard to catch in the ; he'll take you up hills where the others can't go The other two horses--Colt and Scotty--ot the life Buster has, nor the sense”