love. She knew also that they five would carry on the feud against the
one man. So one night she took the best horse on the ranch and started
away towards Fort Micah. Alors, you know how she got to Guidon Hill after
two days' hard riding--enough to kill a man, and over fifty yet to do.
She was sure her brothers were on her track. But if she could get to Fort
Micah, and be married to Garrison before they came; she wanted no more.

"There were only two horses of use at Hilton's Post then; all the rest
were away, or not fit for hard travel. There was my Tophet, and a lean
chestnut, with a long propelling gait, and not an ounce of loose skin on
him. There was but one way: the girl must get there. Allons, what is the
good? What is life without these things? The girl loves the man: she must
have him in spite of all. There was only Hilton and his wife and me at
the Post, and Hilton was lame from a fall, and one arm in a sling. If the
brothers followed, well, Hilton could not interfere--he was a Company's
man; but for myself, as I said, I was hungry for adventure, I had an ache
in my blood for something. I was tingling to the toes, my heart was
thumping in my throat. All the cords of my legs were straightening as if
I was in the saddle.

"She slept for three hours. I got the two horses saddled. Who could tell
but she might need help? I had nothing to do; I knew the shortest way to
Fort Micah, every foot--and then it is good to be ready for all things. I
told Hilton's wife what I had done. She was glad. She made a gesture at
me as to a brother, and then began to put things in a bag for us to
carry. She had settled all how it was to be. She had told the girl. You
see, a man may be--what is it they call me?--a plunderer, and yet a woman
will trust him, comme ca!"

"Aw yis, aw yis, Pierre; but she knew yer hand and yer tongue niver wint