Connie knew that the foreman had disappeared immediately after he had fired into the herd. Undoubtedly aware that she had recognized him, he had fled from the scene. He might have gone back to the ranch house to pack up his belongings. If she rode hard she might intercept him.
Connie did not say anything to Alkali or Lefty for they were busy with the cattle. But as she started away, Enid rode after her.
“I’m going along, Connie,” she declared. “It’s not safe for you to face Blakeman alone. You don’t know that man as I do. He might try anything.”
“I imagine he’s skipped out by this time,” Connie replied. “But let’s see if we can catch him.”
The first rays of the morning sun were coloring the East as they rode across the range toward the ranch. When they were still some distance away, Connie drew rein and her companion likewise halted. They both had observed a lone horseman leaving Rainbow Ranch.
“That looks like Blakeman,” Connie said. “He’s riding off now.”
“But he’s not going toward Red Gulch,” returned Enid. “He’s heading for the canyon.”
“Come on,” Connie urged, “we mustn’t let him get away.”
The girls raced their tired steeds on toward the horseman. Apparently he did not observe their approach for he was traveling in the opposite direction and they were a long distance away. Blakeman was riding hard too, and they could not gain.
Presently they saw the man disappear down into the canyon.