Веснянки

           Herepeatedlycommandedhertostopandfalloutofline,untilherememberedthathewouldneedhertoleadhimtoFreckles.Thenhegaveupandrodebesideher,forshewassendingthebayatassharpapaceastheotherhorsescouldkeepandholdout.Hecouldseethatshewasnothearinghim.HeglancedbackandsawthatDuncanwasclose.Therewassomethingterrifyingintheappearanceofthebigman,andthemannerinwhichhesathisbeastandrode.ItwouldbeasaddayforthemanonwhomDuncan’swrathbroke.Therewerefourothersclosebehindhim,andthepikefillingwiththeremainderofthegang;soMcLeantookheartandracedbesidetheAngel.Overandoverheaskedherwherethetroublewas,butsheonlygrippedthehames,leanedalongthebay’sneck,andslashedawaywiththeblacksnake.Thesteaminghorse,withcrimsonnostrilsandheavingsides,stretchedoutandranforhomewithallthespeedtherewasinhim.

           Whentheypassedthecabin,theBirdWoman’scarriagewasthereandMrs.Duncaninthedoorwringingherhands,buttheBirdWomanwasnowheretobeseen.TheAngelsentthebayalongthepathandturnedintothewesttrail,whilethemenbunchedandfollowedher.WhenshereachedtheentrancetoFreckles’room,therewerefourmenwithher,andtwomoreveryclosebehind.Sheslidfromthehorse,andsnatchingthelittlerevolverfromherpocket,dartedtowardthebushes.McLeancaughtthemback,andwithdrawnweapon,pressedbesideher.Theretheystoppedinastonishment.

           TheBirdWomanblockedtheentrance.Overasmalllimblayherrevolver.