The amused look came back to the man's eyes. “That kind of man isn't safe to wait for. We must take our own horse, Ned. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
The wounded man again attempted to rise. He fell back, but this time quite heavily. He had fainted.
Involuntarily and simultaneously the three women rushed to his side. “He cannot go,” said Kate suddenly.
“He will be better in a moment.”
“But only for a moment. Will nothing induce you to change your mind?”
As if in reply a sudden gust of wind brought a volley of rain against the window.
“THAT will,” said the stranger bitterly.
“The rain?”
“A mile from here it is SNOW; and before we could reach the Summit with these horses the road would be impassable.”