Yet though these things were full of awe, the spirit of the place held
them there, and the fever of the hunter descended on them hotly. In the
morning they went forth, and rode into the White Valley where the buffalo
were feeding, and sought to steal upon them; but the shots from their
guns only awoke the hills, and none were slain. And though they rode
swiftly, the wide surf of snow was ever between them and the chase, and
their striving availed nothing. Day after day they followed that flying
column, and night after night they heard the sleepers call from the
hills. The desire of the thing wasted them, and they forgot to eat and
ceased to talk among themselves. But one day Shon McGann, muttering aves
as he rode, gained on the cattle, until once again the Scarlet Hunter
came forth from a cleft of the mountains, and drove the herd forward with
swifter feet. But the Irishman had learned the power in this thing, and
had taught Trafford, who knew not those availing prayers, and with these
sacred conjurations on their lips they gained on the cattle length by
length, though the Scarlet Hunter rode abreast of the thundering horde.
Within easy range, Trafford swung his gun shoulder-wards to fire, but at
that instant a cloud of snow rose up between him and his quarry so that
they all were blinded. And when they came into the clear sun again the
buffalo were gone; but flaming arrows from some unseen hunter's bow came
singing over their heads towards the south; and they obeyed the sign,
and went back to where Hester wore her life out with anxiety for them,
because she knew the hopelessness of their quest. Women are nearer to
the heart of things. And now she begged Trafford to go southwards before
winter froze the plains impassably, and the snow made tombs of the
valleys. Thereupon he gave the word to go, and said that he had done
wrong--for now the spell was falling from him.

But she, seeing his regret, said: "Ah, Just, it could not have been