..Bolted?"
"That's what I said. Now let's see."
Jane climbed a few more paces behind him and then peeped over the
ridge. Just beyond began a shallow swale that deepened and
widened into a valley and then swung to the left. Following the
undulating sweep of sage, Jane saw the straggling lines and then
the great body of the white herd. She knew enough about steers,
even at a distance of four or five miles, to realize that
something was in the wind. Bringing her field-glass into use, she
moved it slowly from left to right, which action swept the whole
herd into range. The stragglers were restless; the more compactly
massed steers were browsing. Jane brought the glass back to the
big sentinels of the herd, and she saw them trot with quick
steps, stop short and toss wide horns, look everywhere, and then
trot in another direction.
"Judkins hasn't been able to get his boys together yet," said
Jane. "But he'll be there soon. I hope not too late. Lassiter,
what's frightening those big leaders?"
"Nothin' jest on the minute," replied Lassiter. "Them steers are
quietin' down. They've been scared, but not bad yet. I reckon the
whole herd has moved a few miles this way since I was here."
"They didn't browse that distance--not in less than an hour.
Cattle aren't sheep."
"No, they jest run it, en' that looks bad."
"Lassiter, what frightened them?" repeated Jane, impatiently.
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