It's important for us to get back to Townsville without any waste of
time."
"I hate to bring bad news," replied Red Blaze, "but we'll shore have
more snow. See them clouds, sailin' up an' always sailin' up from the
southwest, an' see that white mist 'roun' the highest peaks. That's
snow, an' it'll hit the pass just as it did when we was comin' over.
But we've got this in favor of ourselves an' our hosses now: The wind
is on our backs."
They rode hard now. Dick had received the precious message from the
President, and it would be a proud moment for him when he put it in
the hands of the colonel. He did not wish that moment to be delayed.
Several times he patted the pocket in which the paper lay.
As they ascended, the wind increased in strength, but being on their
backs now it seemed to help them along. They were soon high up on the
slopes and then they naturally turned for a parting look at Hubbard in
its valley, a twin to that of Townsville. It looked from afar neat and
given up to peace, but Dick knew that it had been stirred deeply by the
visit of his comrades and himself.
"It seems," he said, "that the war would pass by these little mountain
nests."
"But it don't," said Red Blaze. "War, I guess, is like a mad an'
kickin' mule, hoofs lashin' out everywhar, an' you can't tell what
they're goin' to hit. Boys, we're makin' good time. That wind on our
backs fairly lifts us up the mountain side.
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