Jane slipped her
left foot in the stirrup, swung lightly into the saddle, and
Black Star rose with a ringing stamp. It was not easy for Jane to
hold him to a canter through the grove. and like the wind he
broke when he saw the sage. Jane let him have a couple of miles
of free running on the open trail, and then she coaxed him in and
waited for her companion. Lassiter was not long in catching up,
and presently they were riding side by side. It reminded her how
she used to ride with Venters. Where was he now? She gazed far
down the slope to the curved purple lines of Deception Pass and
involuntarily shut her eyes with a trembling stir of nameless
fear.
"We'll turn off here," Lassiter said, "en' take to the sage a
mile or so. The white herd is behind them big ridges."
"What are you going to show me?" asked Jane. "I'm prepared--don't
be afraid."
He smiled as if he meant that bad news came swiftly enough
without being presaged by speech.
When they reached the lee of a rolling ridge Lassiter dismounted,
motioning to her to do likewise. They left the horses standing,
bridles down. Then Lassiter, carrying the field-glasses began to
lead the way up the slow rise of ground. Upon nearing the summit
he halted her with a gesture.
"I reckon we'd see more if we didn't show ourselves against the
sky," he said. "I was here less than an hour ago. Then the herd
was seven or eight miles south, an' if they ain't bolted yet--"
"Lassiter!.
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