“I sincerely hope you will never have cause to feel other wise, though, were there any settlements or residences within forty miles, I would take you there at once. But there is none nearer than those on Laramie plains, fifty miles distant.”
“But should you take me there, I would not, in all probability, meet father for a long time.”
“That’s true, Miss Sanford; but would you prefer riding to walking across this plain to the creek?”
“No, I had rather walk, as I am much fatigued with riding, already.”
“Then I will turn my horse to pasture here,” said the ranger, removing the saddle and bridle from the animal, which at once began cropping the rich, succulent grass.
Having removed the capacious saddle-bags from the saddle, he concealed the caparisons in a small cavity in the knoll on which they were standing, and then, slinging the saddle-bags across his shoulder, he took Silvia’s hand and set off across the little valley.
It was only a few moments’ walk, and when the stream was reached the ranger drew a small canoe from under some drooping willows, and launched it. In a moment he was seated therein, with his fair companion, and taking up the paddle, drove the little craft out into the middle of the stream; then turned and moved up its course.
So swift, so easily did the canoe glide over the rippling waters, that Silvia, for a moment, forgot the surrounding danger, and conversed with her handsome rescuer with a real sense of joy and admiration.
Presently the sullen roar of falling waters reached their ears.
“It is the Crystal Falls, Miss Sanford, that you hear,” said the ranger; “we will soon be there.”