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All this Kit had milled around and around many times in the brief while he had ranged La Partida. A new deal was needed and needed badly, else Wilfreda Bernard would have debts instead of revenue if Singleton let things drift much longer. Her impish jest that she was a damsel in distress in need of a valiant knight was nearer to truth than she suspected. He had an idiotic hungry desire to be that knight, but his equipment of one horse, one saddle, and one sore head appeared inadequate for the office.
Thus Kit Rhodes sat his horse and looked at her, and saw things other than the red lips of the girl, and the chiding gray eyes, and the frank regret at his going.
It was more profitable not to see that regret, or let it thrill a man in that sweet warm way, especially not if the man chanced to be a drifting ranger. She was only a gallant little girl with a genius for friendships, and her loyalty to Pike extended to Pikes chumthat was what Rhodes told himself!
Yes, he agreed, I was going without any tooting of horns. No use in Cap Pike and me hanging around, and getting you in bad with your outfit.
As if I care! she retorted.
You might some day, he said quietly. School may make a lot of difference; that, and changed surroundings for a year or two. But some day you will be your own manager, and if Im still on the footstool and can be of servicejust whistle, señorita.
Sure! she agreed cheerfully. Ill whistle the lark call, and youll know I need you, so thats settled, and well always bebe friends, Trail-hunter.
Well always be friends, Lark-child.
I wanted Cap Pike to let me in on this prospecting trip, wanted to put in money, she said rather hesitant, and he turned me down cold, except for a measly ten dollars, smoke money he called it. I reckon he only took that to get rid of me, which I dont call friendly, do you? And if things should go crooked with him, and hewellsort of needs help to get out, youll let me know, wont you?
Yes, if it seems best, he agreed, but you wont be here; youll be shipped to a school, pronto!
I wont be so far off the map that a letter cant reach me. Cap Pike wont ever write, but I thought maybe you
Sure, agreed Rhodes easily. Well send out a long yell for help whenever we get stuck.
She eyed him darkly and without faith.
Wish I knew how to make that certain, she confessed. Youre only dodging me with any kind of a promise to keep me quiet, just as Cap did. I know! Im jealous, too, because youre taking a trail Ive always wanted to take with Cap, and they wont let me because Im a girl.
Cheer up! When you are boss of the range you can outfit any little pasear you want to take, but you and I wont be in the same class then, Lark-child.
Are you really going it blind, trailing with Cap into the Painted Hills after that fascinating gold legend? she demanded. Or have you some inside trail blazed for yourself? Daddy Pike is the best ever, but he always goes broke, and if he isnt broke, he has a jug at his saddle horn, so
Oh its only a little jug this time, and hes had a fare-you-well drink out of it with everyone in sight, so theres only one hilarious evening left in the jug now. Just enough for a gladsome memory of civilization.
Are you in deep on this prospect plan? she persisted.
Well, not that you could notice. That is, Ive got a three months job offered me down at Whitelys; that will serve the captain as headquarters to range from until we add to our stake. Whitely is rounding up stock for the Allies down Mesa Blanca way, and Pike will feel at home there. Dont you worry, Ill keep an eye on Pike. He is hilariously happy to get into that region with a partner.
I dont like it, she grumbled at him with sulky gray eyes. Pedro Vijil just came back from the south, and brought his sisters family from San Rafael. Theyre refugees from the Federals because their men joined Ramon Rotil, the rebel leader, and Merced is crying herself crazy over the tales of war they tell. One of their girls was stolen, and the mother and Tia Luz are both crying over that. So Papa Phil says hes going to send me away where I wont hear such horrors. I wish I was a man, and Id join the army and get a chance to go over and fight.
Huh! grunted Rhodes skeptically, some more of us had hopes! Our army officers are both praying and cursing to get a chance to do the same thing, but they are not getting it! So you and I, little girl, will wait till some one pitches a bomb into that dovery on the Potomac. Then well join the volunteers and swarm over after our people.
Oh, yes, you can! Men can do anything they like. I told you I was jealous.
Never mind, Lark-child, he returned soothingly. If I get over with a gun, you can come along and toot a horn. There now, thats a bargain, and you can practice tooting the larks call until the time comes.
I reckon Ill have plenty of time to toot myself black in the face before you show up again at Granados, she prophesied ruefully, and he laughed.
Whistle an Ill come to you, Lassie, he said with sudden recklessness, and thats for adios, Billie.
He held out his hand.
Thats enough, Rhodes, said a voice back of them, and Singleton walked forward. When you got your time, you were supposed to leave Granados. Is this what youve been hanging around for during the past week?
Rhodes flamed red to his hair as he stared down at the elder man.
I reckon Ill not answer that now, Mr. Singleton, he said quietly. You may live to see you made a mistake. I hope you do, but youre traveling with a rotten bunch, and they are likely to use a knife or a rope on you any time youve played the goat long enough for them to get their innings. Im going without any grudge, but if I was an insurance agent, trying to save money for my company, Id sure pass you by as an unsafe bet! Keep on this side of the line, Singleton, while the revolution is whirling, and whatever you forget, dont forget I said it! Adios, señorita, andgood luck!
Good luck, Kit, she half whispered, and adios!
She watched him as he rode away, watched him as he halted at the turn of the trail and waved his hand, and Singleton was quietly observing her the while. She frowned as she turned and caught him at it.
You thought he waited here, or planned toto meet me, she flared. He was too square to tell you the truth, but it was I rode out here to say good-bye, rode out and held him up! But I did not reckon anyone would try to insult him for it!
Her stepfather regarded her grimly. She was angry, and very near to tears.
Time you had your breakfast, he observed, and all signs indicate I should have sent you East last year, and kept you out of the promiscuous mixups along the border. Its the dumping ground for all sorts of stray adventurers, and no place for a girl to ride alone.
He seemed to think I am as able to look after myself as you, she retorted. You arent fair to him because you take the word of Conrad, but Conrad lies, and Im glad he got thrashed good and plenty! Now Ive got that off my mind, Ill go eat a cheerful breakfast.
Singleton walked silent beside her back to where his horse was grazing by the roadside.
Huh! grunted the girl with frank scorn. So you got out of the saddle to spy? Havent you some black-and-tan around the ranch to do your dirty work?