Page:The Cross Pull.pdf/258

 if they rode all night. Then they could scatter, each man for himself, until the hunt died down. Better get your men here to-night.”

The four men drew back from the rims. Vermont was a man of quick decisions and he recognized the logic of Kinney’s words. They had no time to waste.

“We can’t take that chance,” he said. “But we’ll have to work fast to block them in to-night. Harmon’s men will have the longest trip so I’ll bring my boys to cover the upper end and work down the trail on foot. Harmon should be able to reach the mouth of the canyon an hour or two after dark by riding hard. You two stay here to watch which way they go if they leave before we get back. Then join Harmon’s men to-night. They can hardly miss that broad trail up the creek.”

Time was precious. Kinney and Moran watched the other two go back the way they had come.

When the marshal and the ranger reached their horses they rode together until late in the afternoon. Then Harmon turned up a creek which branched from the Thoroughfare in the direction of his own camp. Both horses were tired but