He put her on his horse and led it forward to the spot where the
cattle waited at the gateway. Not until they came full upon them
did he remember that it was dangerous for strange young women to
see him with those cattle and at the gateway to the Hidden canon.
"They are my uncle's cattle. I could tell the brand anywhere. Are
you one of his riders? Are we close to the Rocking Chair Ranch?"
she cried.
He flung a quick glance at her. "Not very close. Are you from the
Rocking Chair?"
"Yes. I'm Mr. Mackenzie's niece."
"Major Mackenzie's daughter?" demanded the man quickly.
"Yes." She said it with a touch of annoyance, for he looked at
her as a man does who has heard of her before. She knew that the
story had been bruited far and wide of how she had passed through
the hands of the train robbers carrying thirty thousand dollars
on her person. She had no doubt that it was in this connection
her rescuer had heard of her.
He drew off to one side and called his companion to him.
"Hardman, you ride up to the ranch and tell Leroy I've just found
Miss Mackenzie wandering around on the desert, lost.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293