“No, Ruth, I have not forgotten. I loved you, and that must be my excuse. I longed to have you with me, to have you my bride, and—forgive me, Ruth—I was mad enough to think that I might persuade you to become my wife.”
“My consent never could have been won by force, Leo Randolph; but, this is idle, to thus stand and talk with you. Believe me, I feel for you in the evil career you have chosen. But I must hasten, for the night is coming on and I was foolish to venture thus far from the fort.”
Ruth attempted to ride on, but the outlaw chief still kept his hand firmly upon her rein while he asked:
“How is it you are thus far from your camp, and alone?”
“I came out with my father and brother for a ride. They discovered traces of Indians near the fort, and rode on to investigate, telling me to return, for I was not half a mile away. I lost my road, and only just now discovered that my way back lay through this gulch.”
Again she urged her horse forward, yet the chief held him firmly in his strong grasp.
“Mr. Randolph, will you release my bridle rein?” said Ruth, in a firm voice.
“Miss Ramsey, I will not—hold! Hear me, and heed—you are in my power, and I am a desperate man. Go with me willingly; become my wife, and I will relinquish my evil life and live for you alone; refuse, and——”
“You plead in vain, Mr. Randolph; your evil life has already put out every spark of regard I ever felt for you. Again I ask you to release my rein.”
“And again I say I will not. More—if you will not be a willing bride, you shall be an unwilling one.”