In the clear light of the blossoming dawn the whole panorama of the lower mountain country was spread out before them. To the left, under the towering peaks of the divide, the rounded crest of the hogback was discernible, and a black spot marked the location of Mannix’s automobile.
“There’s a car over there,” said Rathburn, noting the direction of Sautee’s gaze.
Almost directly below them a number of mounted men filed over a ridge and again disappeared in the timber. Off to the right more horsemen were to be seen.
“Looks like there was a posse or two out this morning,” said Rathburn in a forbidding voice. “I reckon I ain’t such a fool as not to know who they’re lookin’ for, Sautee. Now maybe you can figure out why I ain’t as scared of that powder house as you are.”
“I can stop them!” cried Sautee in a shaking voice.
“Sure,” Rathburn agreed. “You can say you lied about me takin’ the money–––”
“I’ll tell ’em you gave it back!” said Sautee hoarsely. “I’ll tell ’em you brought it on up to the mine and that it’s in the safe. I’ll square it–––”
“But you can’t square the rewards that are out for The Coyote,” said Rathburn sternly. “You’ve 157 stepped into a bigger game than you thought, Sautee, an’ it’s got plumb out of your hands.”
He turned on the mine manager fiercely. “Whatever happens, remember this: Once a man gets a bad reputation in a country like this or the country I come from, he’s got it for keeps. He can’t get away from it no matter how he acts or what he does. Mine has drove me away from the place where I belong; it’s followed me here; I can’t lose it; an’ the way things has been going, by glory, I don’t know if I want to lose it!”
Sautee cowered back under the fierceness in Rathburn’s manner.