Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/318

 298 I released her hands gently, and began a swift search of the cabin. It did not require long to explore the single room, and I found all we required in a big box beside the bunk. What I could conveniently transport was pressed into a clean bag, and I also took possession of a quilt to add to her comfort. I left Cowan lying just as he had fallen, seeing little use in attempting to conceal the body. Both of us were glad enough when we closed the door of the shack, and returned to our horses. We rode on steadily for an hour, only occasionally exchanging a word. The road was rough and mountainous, so rocky underfoot our horses left no trail. At last we came to a narrow ravine down which a brook plunged over a stony bed. There was no trail visible, but it was possible to advance some distance by keeping close to the bank. I dismounted, and, holding to the rein, led my horse carefully forward.

"Follow as closely as you can," I called back to her, "and keep at the rock edge so as to leave no trail."

For a hundred yards, or more, we experienced no difficulty, the stream turning to the right, and following the same direction as the pike we had deserted. The forest growth between, however, left the latter invisible. Then the stream veered