Chapter VII

           OntheirwaytoDerrick’sranchhouse,HilmaandMrs.Derrickheardthesoundsofdistantfiring.

           “Stop!”criedHilma,layingherhanduponyoungVacca’sarm.“Stopthehorses.Listen,whatwasthat?”

           Thecarry-allcametoahaltandfromfarawayacrosstherustlingwheatcamethefaintrattleofriflesandrevolvers.

           “Say,”criedVacca,rollinghiseyes,“oh,say,they’refightingoverthere.”

           Mrs.Derrickputherhandsoverherface.

           “Fighting,”shecried,“oh,oh,it’sterrible.Magnusisthere—andHarran.”

           “Wheredoyouthinkitis?”demandedHilma.“That’sovertowardHooven’s.”

           “I’mgoing.Turnback.DrivetoHooven’s,quick.”

           “Betternot,Mrs.Annixter,”protestedtheyoungman.“Mr.AnnixtersaidweweretogotoDerrick’s.BetterkeepawayfromHooven’sifthere’stroublethere.Wewouldn’tgettheretillit’sallover,anyhow.”

           “Yes,yes,let’sgohome,”criedMrs.Derrick,“I’mafraid.Oh,Hilma,I’mafraid.”

           “ComewithmetoHooven’sthen.”

           “There,wheretheyarefighting?Oh,Icouldn’t.I—Ican’t.ItwouldbealloverbeforewegotthereasVaccasays.”

           “Sure,”repeatedyoungVacca.

           “DrivetoHooven’s,”commandedHilma.“Ifyouwon’t,I’llwalkthere.”Shethrewoffthelap-robes,preparingtodescend.“Andyou,”sheexclaimed,turningtoMrs.Derrick,“howCANyou—whenHarranandyourhusbandmaybe—may—areindanger.”

           Grumbling,Vaccaturnedthecarry-allaboutanddroveacrosstheopenfieldstillhereachedtheroadtoGuadalajara,justbelowtheMission.