"There's Chug Water lying right the other way from where he went, and I
guess it's there Mr. Toussaint is aiming for." With this idea Cutler
swung from north to southwest along the Laramie. He went slowly over his
shortcut, not to leave the widely circling Toussaint too much in his
rear. The fugitive would keep himself carefully far on the other side of
the Laramie, and very likely not cross it until the forks of Chug Water.
Dawn had ceased to be gray, and the doves were cooing incessantly among
the river thickets, when Cutler, reaching the forks, found a bottom where
the sage-brush grew seven and eight feet high, and buried himself and his
horse in its cover. Here was comfort; here both rivers could be safely
watched. It seemed a good leisure-time for a little fire and some
breakfast. He eased his horse of the saddle, sliced some bacon, and put a
match to his pile of small sticks. As the flame caught, he stood up to
enjoy the cool of a breeze that was passing through the stillness, and he
suddenly stamped his fire out. The smell of another fire had come across
Chug Water on the wind. It was incredible that Toussaint should be there
already. There was no seeing from this bottom, and if Cutler walked up
out of it the other man would see too. If it were Toussaint, he would not
stay long in the vast exposed plain across Chug Water, but would go on
after his meal. In twenty minutes it would be the thing to swim or wade
the stream, and crawl up the mud bank to take a look. Meanwhile, Cutler
dipped in water some old bread that he had and sucked it down, while the
little breeze from opposite hook the cottonwood leaves and brought over
the smell of cooking meat. The sun grew warmer, and the doves ceased.
Cutler opened his big watch, and clapped it shut as the sound of mud
heavily slopping into the other river reached him. He crawled to where he
could look at the Laramie from among his sagebrush, and there was
Toussaint leading his horse down to the water. The half-breed gave a
shrill call, and waved his hat. His call was answered, and as he crossed
the Laramie, three Sioux appeared, riding to the bank. They waited till