"Ha! not a moment too soon was I," he said.
"She is already off," and quickly he wheeled out of sight and rode back toward the Indians whom he knew were following him.
As he came in sight of them he raised his hands, made certain signs[6] which caused the band to at once scatter to shelter on either side of the trail, hiding amid the rocks and brush.
Herbert Bernard saw that his signs were read as thoroughly as though he had spoken, and at once he wheeled off the trail and disappeared in the timber.
And on rode his intended victim, poor Jennie.
She had made up her mind to take a trail that would carry her toward the nearest settler's house, and from there she would go on her way, she hardly knew how, or where.
But if she could find friends she would then be able to place her case in the hands of an attorney, and make Vance Bernard account for her property which he held.
With these half formed ideas in her mind she had left the home she had deemed her own.
She dared not wait to keep her appointment with Kit Carey, for she was afraid to ride toward the Indian lines, fearing to meet Red Hatchet.