"Charley!" she called, and again in fierce impatience, "Charley!"
For a moment she was conscious of a torturing suspense, and then a man's voice came out of the darkness in answer.
"All right," it said. "I'm coming straight along."
In another few moments a shadowy figure had materialised out of the prairie. She pulled her horse up with a struggle when Leland drew bridle beside her.
"Steady, my dear," he said. "Get your breath and tell me what it is."
Carrie gasped out her news, and the man sat silent a moment or two.
"Urmston's there, and Mrs. Annersly," he said. "I don't think they'll hurt them, but I'd better get on."
Carrie leant out from the saddle, and attempted to touch his bridle as the fidgeting horses pranced side by side.
"No," she said, "you mustn't. I will not have you go. I think they mean to kill you."
Leland appeared to smile. "I guess that contract would be a little too big for them. Still, if Urmston riled them, they might hurt him. The man's a friend of yours."