A THIEF OF THE NIGHT.
When the rancher entered the current with the two ponies, the interest
of the wife, who remained behind with little Dot, was centred wholly in
his effort to ford the stream. She stood on the very margin of the
water, where, though unable to see the form of the rider or either of
the animals, she could hear the sound made by them in passing through
the current.
In this position, the pack-pony remained a few steps behind her and
about half-way to the open plain. The child, who had been somewhat
disturbed by the shifting about of herself, had fallen asleep again and
rested motionless in her arms, with her form nestling in the protecting
blanket.
Everything was silent except the slight noise caused by the animals in
the water. In this position, with her nerves strung to the highest
point, and her faculties absorbed in the single one of hearing, she
caught a suspicious sound immediately behind her. It was as if Jerry was
moving from the spot where he had been left.
Fearful of his going astray, her lips parted to speak, when,
fortunately, she held her peace. It might be that some person was the
cause of his action.
With the purpose of learning the truth, she stole through the timber
toward the spot where he was standing a few minutes before. She was so
close behind him, and moved so much faster, that she reached the open
plain almost on his heels. Despite the gloom, she could make out his
figure; and her feelings may be imagined when she distinguished the form
of a Sioux warrior leading him.
Not only that, but the thief paused as soon as the open prairie was
reached and lightly vaulted upon his back, beside the load already
resting there. Then he hammered his heels against his ribs and the lazy
beast rose to a jogging trot, immediately disappearing in the snow and
darkness.
The wife, as may be supposed, was dumfounded and uncertain what to do,
if indeed she could do anything. At the moment when it looked as if all
danger was past, one of their enemies had unexpectedly stolen their
pack-pony.
Where were the rest? Why did they content themselves with this simple
act, when they might have done a thousandfold worse? How soon would the
rest be on the spot? Was there no hope now of escape for the miserable
fugitives?
These and similar thoughts were passing through her mind, when she heard
her husband calling to her in a cautious voice. Not daring to reply,
through fear of attracting the attention of their enemies, she threaded
her way through the timber, and reached his side at the moment his heart
was filled with despair at the belief that something frightful had taken
place.
The joy of the rancher, on clasping his beloved wife once more in his
arms, caused him to forget everything else for the moment, but she
quickly made known the startling incident that had occurred.
"Heavens!" he muttered, "they have traced us after all, but where are
the rest?"
"They must be near," she replied, laying her hand on his arm. "Listen!"
They did so, but heard nothing more.
"We must cross at once," he whispered.
No time was lost in following the prudent suggestion. The wife was
helped upon the back of the mare, Dot still remaining asleep, and the
husband, mounted on Dick, placed himself in front.
"There is only one place, and that lasts but for a few steps, where you
will have to raise your foot to protect it from the water," he said, as
they were about to enter the stream.
"I will remember," she nervously replied; "don't wait."
Once again the faithful pony entered the water, the mare so close behind
that husband and wife could have touched each other, and the fording of
the current began.
The rancher did not forget that it was impossible in the darkness to
follow precisely his own course. Having emerged at a different point
from where he entered, he was in reality following a different course,
which might be the same as if it were a half mile farther up or down
stream.
This proved to be the case, though the disappointment was of an
agreeable nature, for the ponies struck a shallower part than that which
was first forded. At no portion did the water do more than barely touch
the bodies of the animals, and then only for a few steps. Once the mare
slipped on a smooth stone, and came within a hair of unseating her
rider, but the latter's skill enabled her to retain her seat, and a few
minutes later the two came out on the other side, without a drop of
moisture on their garments.
"Thank Heaven!" was the fervent ejaculation of the husband as the fact
was accomplished. "It is better than I expected."
"But don't forget that they may have done the same thing, and perhaps
are awaiting us near at hand."
"You may be right, Molly, and we cannot be too careful."
The words were barely uttered when the splashing of water behind them
left no doubt that the Sioux were again on their trail.
"Quick!" whispered the husband; "dismount; you can't ride the mare among
the trees; she will follow, and don't fail to keep close behind Dick."
It was important, above all things, to leave the spot before the red men
landed. Otherwise, they would hear the horses and locate them without
difficulty.
A disappointment awaited our friends. It will be remembered that the
fringe of timber on the other side was quite narrow, and they naturally
supposed it corresponded on the farther shore. But after threading their
way for double the distance, they were surprised to find no evidence of
the open plain beyond.
The rancher dared not continue farther while there was reason to fear
their pursuers were near. The brushing of the branches against the
bodies of the animals and the noise of their hoofs could be detected in
the silence, and was sure to betray the fugitives to any Sioux within a
hundred yards.
The wife understood why the halt was made. Her husband stole back and
placed himself by her side.
"You must be wearied with carrying Dot so long," he said sympathizingly.
"It is quite a trial," she replied, in the same guarded voice, "but
there is no help for it, and I beg you to give the matter no thought."
"Let me take her a while."
"No, that will not do; you must hold your gun ready for instant use, and
you could not do so with her in your arms. It is not so hard when we are
sitting on the mare, for it is easy to arrange it so that she supports
most of her weight."
"You are a good, brave woman, Molly, and deserve to be saved."
"Sh!" she admonished; "I hear something."
He knew she was right, for he caught the sound at the same moment.
Someone was stealing through the wood near them. It was a person, beyond
question, for a horse would have made more noise, and the sounds of his
hoofs would have been more distinct than anything else. That which, fell
upon their ears was the occasional crackling of a twig, and the brushing
aside of the obtruding limbs. No matter with what care an Indian warrior
threaded his way through the timber in this dense gloom, he could not
avoid such slight evidences of his movements--so slight, indeed, that
but for the oppressive stillness and the strained hearing of the husband
and wife they would not have detected them.
Confident that the red man could not trace them in the gloom, even
though so dangerously near, the dread now was that the ponies would
betray them. Those watchful animals often prove the most valuable allies
of the fleeing fugitive, for they possess the power of discovering
impending danger before it can become known to their masters. But when
they make such discovery they are apt to announce it by a stamp of the
hoof or with a sniffing of the nostrils, which, while serving the master
well, has the disadvantage also of apprising the enemy that his approach
has become known.
Stealing from his position beside his wife, the rancher stepped to the
mare and passed his hand reassuringly over her mouth, doing the same
with his own pony. This action was meant as a command for them to hold
their peace, though whether it was understood to the extent that it
would be obeyed, remains to be seen.