Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/281

 " Where you trapped. Remember the bear hides you brought in that spring Katie left? "

" The pack's slippin' agin — them saddles is far and away too narrer — and them green hides weigh like lead — " He ran his words together like a person talk- ing in his sleep.

" You load too heavy — you load to break a horse's back — Katie Prentice always told you that."

A troubled frown grew between his eyes as though he was groping, vainly groping for some elusive thought.

" Katie told me — Katie Prentice — " His voice trailed off and ended in a breath.

She made a gesture of despair, but repeated persist- ently :

" She told you that you ought to be ashamed to pack a horse like that. Three hundred pounds, Pete Mullendore! You haven't any feeling for a horse."

" Killed Old Blue and left him on the trail. My, but you're gittin' growed up fast. Ain't you got a kiss for Pete?"

She leaned closer.

" Would you do something for me if I kissed you — if Katie Prentice kissed you, Pete MuUendore?"

She repeated her words, speaking in a whisper, with careful distinctness.

" Will you tell Katie something that she wants to know, if she kisses you, Pete MuUendore ? "

" Goin' to take you back to the mountings next trip — learn you to tan hides good — with ashes and deer brains — all — same — squaw — make good squaw out o' you — Katie — break your spirit first — you brat — lick yoq till I break your heart."

Katie's hands clenched.