“Across the border,” he said. “Into Colorado. We’ll get there by evening.”
The air was beginning to have a cool feeling. They had left the plains abruptly behind them and were nearing the mountains.
“I must get back tonight,” said Billie to herself. “Cousin Helen will die of heart failure if I don’t.”
Although her body was exhausted, her mind was clear and with her eyes closed, she was able to think connectedly and deeply. “I am being kidnapped,” her thoughts continued. “Hot Air Sue is my friend and will save me if she possibly can. The trouble is we haven’t any money between us, I suppose.”
Once after a long time they stopped and Hawkes jumped out and examined one of the tires.
“Sue save young lady,” whispered the old Indian woman. “Sue not afraid. Don’t wake up.”
The man came and stood at the side of the car and looked into Billie’s face.
“Hot Air Sue good old girl,” he said. “Hot Air Sue won’t be sorry she helped Hawkeseye. Give me water bottle. Hawkeseye get water. Hot Air Sue look after girl. She mustn’t run away. No money, no girl.”
“Umph! umph!” grunted the woman. “Sue would get water for young chief, but Sue must hold girl.”
Hawkeseye took the bottle and started down to a spring which bubbled out of the rocks at the foot of a small precipice at one side of the road.