"
"I allow, Red Blaze," said the sergeant with confidence, "that you ain't
no fool, an' that you're lookin' out for our best interests. Lead on."
Red Blaze's mellow and pleased laugh rose once more above the whistling
of the wind.
"You kin ride ag'in now, boys," he said. "The hosses are pretty well
rested."
They resumed the saddle gladly and now mounted toward the crest of the
pass. The sleet turned to snow, which was a relief to their faces,
and Dick, with the constant beating of wind and snow, began to feel a
certain physical exhilaration. He realized the truth of Red Blaze's
assertion that if you stiffen your back and push your way through
troubles you leave troubles behind.
They rode now in silence for quite a while, and then Red Blaze suddenly
announced:
"We're at the top, boys."
CHAPTER IV
THE FIGHT IN THE PASS
The three halted their horses and stood for a minute or two on the very
crest of the pass. The fierce wind out of the northwest blew directly
in their faces and both riders and horses alike were covered with snow.
But Dick felt a wonderful thrill as he gazed upon the vast white
wilderness. East and west, north and south he saw the driving snow
and the lofty peaks and ridges showing through it, white themselves.
The towns below and the cabins that snuggled in the coves were
completely hidden. They could see no sign of human life on slope or
in valley.
"Looks as wild as the Rockies," said the sergeant tersely.
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