Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/329

 Rh church, with hitching racks each side. Why that was Cane Ridge Baptist—Nichol's church!

I do not know why I laughed, but I did—perhaps it was from sudden relief at thus discovering exactly where we were, and seeing clearly the easier way out. The sound of a foot stepping on a round stone caused me to face about. Noreen was within a few feet of me, higher up on the bank, one hand holding back the bough of a tree.

"Why were you laughing?" she asked. "I thought you had gone until I heard that sound."

"Deserted you! never! I am not that kind of a cavalier. Why, I protest I watched over you faithfully for hours while you slept, never even venturing to move from the spot where you left me. I swear it!"

"And I believe; but surely this is not the spot."

"No; the sun was high, and I ventured to water the horses; then I lingered, studying the ridge over yonder. Do you recognize it?"

She gazed where I pointed, shading her eyes from the sun, her forehead drawn into puckers. At last she shook her head, her glance seeking my face inquiringly.

"It awakens no memory."

"Because of the point of view. If you were at the top you would remember. I studied it a long