Out on the trail once more with the sun shining above their heads, they made more rapid progress than the day previous. Gid was far in the rear leading the sorrel. Not more than a quarter of a mile from the cave, Mr. Bradshaw, who was ahead, stopped suddenly. As the rest of the party came up he pointed into a sheltered hollow shut in by rocky walls.
“See whar those fellers stopped last night. Hit’s a wonder they didn’t rout you out of thet cave and take your beastes.” A heap of ashes and the much trodden earth showed where the desperadoes had camped. Gincy and Talitha were pale with fright. How near they had been to danger after all!
Because of their late start, the party did not reach the Bradshaw home until nearly noon.
“I ’lowed you’d come,” Mrs. Bradshaw declared. “The boys and their pappy generally gits what they go after. Only I reckoned they might hev fetched along a couple or so of them hoss thieves, the sheriff and his men hev been a-sarchin’ fer, seein’ thar war sech a comp’ny of you,” she added.
“I hev found whar they war last night,” exclaimed Pappy Bradshaw triumphantly. “And I hev somethin’ ter remember the leader of the gang. He may be a-callin’ fer hit some day.” The man chuckled loudly to himself, but Miss Howard instantly changed the subject.
In good season the next morning the party were once more on their way and reached Bentville early that evening.
XV
THE WALKING PARTY
Spring came on apace. There was a lingering perfume from the apple blossoms in the air when Lalla proposed a walking party. “We’ll go to the Crater, have our supper, and come back by moonlight. Miss Howard’s going with us—isn’t it grand?”
“Splendid!” said Gincy. “I reckon Miss Howard’s planning to let some one else inspect the rooms and hall this afternoon; she knows I can’t squeeze in another thing and go. I’m worn out already trying to plan for my work, and lessons, and music.”
“That’s all arranged,” said Lalla, “we’re to start promptly from the front steps at two o’clock. I’ll help you put away the towels; I’m all ready this minute!”