"I'm dead sure!"
He helped her repack the sandwiches and returned them to her saddlebag.
She felt a rising concern and a little fear. But after he helped her
mount his horse and she looked down at him, she steadied. There was
going to be a storm because he had said so. But he seemed calm, and
somehow she felt that he would know what to do about it.
"We're going to make time," he told her. "I've put you on King because
he'll follow me and I know he'll keep up. If you need anything, say so."
A cold chill brushed Barbara's spine when they were again moving. The
wind, that had fanned their left cheeks since they'd started, was now
full in their faces and Barbara bent her head against it. She had an
overwhelming sense of something terrible about to be. It was as though a
great, grim beast lurked in the overcast sky and was preparing to pounce
on them.
Ellis set off at a canter, and Barbara's mount kept close at his heels.
She sensed a difference in the horse. He too knew that a storm was on
the way and he feared it. But he had an animal's blind faith in Ellis.
The wind's whine became a savage snarl, and Barbara bent her head
further. She looked up when Ellis shouted, and it was terrifying because
he had to shout.
"Are you all right?"