CHAPTER V
THE CALL OF THE MOUNTAINS
As the approaching company came around the bend of the road into sight of the inn, a “calico” pony detached itself from the group of riders and before those watching on the porch could hear her words, Molly was shouting to them:
“We’re all right! Everybody is all right—except the one that isn’t! And he—Wait, I’m coming!”
The three girls ran down the road to meet her, and even Lady Gray walked swiftly after, and in a moment more they had encircled the truant with their loving arms, forgetting that she had given them a needless anxiety.
“They weren’t Indians at all. They were just our own folks, but Leslie and I were frightened half to death! I don’t know what would have become of us except the pony told our story. And he’s only smashed up a little some way. They had to hold him on the horse—”
“What! Leslie, my Leslie, my boy!” gasped Mrs. Ford.