Page:Max Brand--The Seventh Man.djvu/244

230 “For God's sake, stop her mouth or he'll hear!” groaned Buck Daniels.

“He can't!” said Haines. “We're too far away even if he were at the cave now.”

“I tell you he'll hear! Don't talk to me about distance.”

Kate reined her horse beside Lee.

“Joan!” she commanded.

They were sweeping across the meadow now at an easy gallop. Joan screamed again, a wild plea for help.

“Joan!” repeated Kate, and her voice was fierce. She raised her quirt and shook it. “Be quiet, Munner whip—hard!”

Another call died away on the lips of Joan. She looked at her mother with astonishment and then with a new respect.

“If you cry once more, munner whip!”

And Joan was silent, staring with wonder and defiance.

When they came close to the cabin, Lee Haines drew rein, but Kate motioned him on.

“Where to?” he called.

“Back to the old ranch,” she answered. “We've got to have help.”

He nodded in grim understanding, and they headed on and down the slope towards the valley.