Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/98

94 then we’ll go an’ git the missionary at The Gap to hitch us up.”

“Never!” The girl’s voice rang out clear and defiant upon the still night air. She knew the man standing before her, and was fully aware that he was not sincere in his promises. He wanted her just to satisfy his passion, and then he would throw her aside as he had done a number of Indian girls he had deceived. She must stand her ground, and not give in to him.

As Zell uttered her stern refusal, the man calmly folded his arms and watched her. His greedy eyes took in her beauty, and the varying expressions upon her face, and the firm, lithe outlines of her tense body. He smiled, feeling certain that nothing now could come between him and the object of his desire.

“So that’s final, is it?” he at length asked.

“It is,” was the firm reply.

“Well, then you’ll have to put up with the result. You are mine, and by G—, nothing can keep you from me.”

He sprang suddenly forward as if to seize her. But Zell was watching, and quick as a cat she leaped aside, eluded his grasp, and sprang out upon the trail. With an angry oath, the man dashed after her. At times Zell glanced fearfully back, and noted that her pursuer was steadily gaining upon her. At length, seeing that she could not escape by flight, she suddenly stopped, wheeled, tore the revolver from her bosom and fired. With a yell of pain the man dropped upon the trail. In an instant he was on his knees, his revolver in his hand, blazing madly and wildly at the girl, once more fleeing for her life. Only when the firing ceased, and Zell was certain that she was at a safe distance, did she venture to stop and look back. She could see Bill on