Grant set his lips as a band of horsemen swung out of the shadows of the bluff. His eyes caught and recognized the glint of sunlight on metal; but in another moment his heart leaped, for through the drumming of their hoofs there came the musical jingle of steel, and he saw the men were dressed in blue uniform. He swung up his hat exultantly, and his voice reached the girl, hoarse and strained with relief.
“We are through. They are United States cavalry!”
The horsemen came on at a trot, until Grant and the girl rode up to them. Then, they pulled up, and when Grant had helped Hetty down their officer, who wheeled his horse, sat gazing at them curiously. Grant did not at once recognize him, but Hetty gasped.
“Larry,” she said faintly, “it’s Jack Cheyne.”
Grant drew her hand within his arm, and walked slowly forward past the wondering troopers. Then he raised his broad hat.
“I claim your protection for my wife, Captain Cheyne,” he said.
Cheyne sat very still a moment, looking down on him with a strained expression in his face; and Grant, who saw it, glanced at Hetty. She was leaning heavily upon him, her garments spattered with mire, but he could not see her eyes. Then Cheyne nodded gravely.
“Mrs. Grant can count upon it,” he said. “Those men were chasing you?”
“Yes,” said Grant. “One of them is the Sheriff. I believe he intends to arrest me.”
“Sheriff Slocane?”