“If I had my horse and a good start, I would risk finding my way back to the Overland Trail, for I watched all along closely, and my horse would retrace his tracks, I believe.
“But, no, I must accept the situation as it is, and take things as they come.
“The outlaw, from what he says, seems to think the fords are guarded by a large force, so I will not undeceive him.
“Even now my father may be within a few miles of me, and, oh! if he only knew.”
The girl weakened for a moment, but quickly rallied from her emotions and continued her gaze for quite a while. Then she strolled about the mountaintop, plucked a few wild flowers clinging among the rocks, and next started down to the camp with the remark:
“Ah! I get the odors of boiling bacon and coffee, for the wind blows up from the camp. It makes me hungry, so I’ll go down to dinner.”
Down she went, soon to come upon the trail, and she was glad to find dinner ready, and enjoyed it.
Mounting again, the chief said:
“We must ride hard now, for the river will have to be behind us when the sun sets. Are you very tired, Miss Fallon?”