It was difficult. He dared not shout. He knew how the voice traveled over the plains. Suddenly he remembered. He was one of the few prairie men who still clung to the white handkerchief of civilization. He drew one out of his pocket. It was anything but clean, but it would serve. Throwing up both arms he waved it furiously at the man. This he did three times. Then, dropping it to the ground, he held up both hands in the manner of a prairie surrender.
There was a moment of anxious waiting, then, to his relief, he saw Will head his hard blowing horse in his direction. But still retaining his hold of his pistol, he came on. And in those few moments before he reached him Jim had an opportunity of close observation.
First he saw that the horse was nearly done. Evidently the chase had been, if short, at least a hard one, and if the hunters were close behind, there was little enough chance of escape for him. The man’s eyes were alight and staring with the suspicious look of the hunted. His young mouth was set desperately, and the watching man read in his face a determination to sell his life at the highest price he could demand. And somehow, in spite of all that had gone, he felt a great pity for him.
Then, in a moment, his pity fled. It was the color of the man’s shirt that first caught his attention. It was identical with his own. From this he examined the rest of his clothing. Will Henderson was clad as much like himself as possible. And the meaning of it was quite plain to him.
The horseman came up. He flung himself back in the saddle and reined his horse up with a jerk.
“What’s your game?” he demanded fiercely, still 291 gripping the threatening revolver, as Jim dropped his hands.
“I came to warn you––but my horse foundered. See.”
Jim pointed at the dejected beast. “I came because she asked me to come,” he added.
Will glanced back up the hill. It needed little enough imagination to guess what he was looking for.
“Well, the game’s up, and––I’m hunted. They’re about three miles behind––all except one.” He laughed harshly. Then he caught Jim’s eyes. “You came because she sent you? That means you’re goin’ to help me, I guess, but only––because she sent you. Are you goin’ to?” He edged his gun forward so that the other could not miss seeing it.