“Why? Because—because I had to see you again,” replied the man with a voice still deep and low, yet hard. “Yes—look at me—look well at the result of your faithlessness! Do I seem like the Dave Davis whom you knew a year ago?” and he clutched her hand with a grasp that made her cry out in pain.
A strange, loud laugh burst from him as he nearly pulled her out of her saddle toward him.
“Release me, you—you—”
“Say it! Brute! God, yes—a damned brute, and all because I loved you!”
A vivid flash made the already frightened girl tremble still more. She begged the man to allow her to proceed.
“You are going over to that cow-camp where that Indian is. I heard you were there and was even willing to risk my precious head for just one glimpse of you. Come! If you must go, I shall go with you.”
Bess knew that it was useless to try to escape, so she hurried her horse on as swiftly as she dared. The wind had now risen to its height and was blowing a gale. The lightning brought a single drop of rain from the great, fleeing clouds which hid the sky and filled the land with oppressive, early darkness. Great trees swayed against each other and loud crashes told of a mighty monarch which could not resist the strength of the storm.
“Come, we must seek shelter from these falling trees,” said the man, whose worn face was pale in the fury of the storm.
Taking Mauchacho by the bit he turned into Rattlesnake Gulch and hastened toward the old cabin.
“Stop! I am not afraid of the storm. You shall let me go on—alone,” cried the terrified girl, as she pulled in vain at the horse’s bridle. Seeing that her efforts were useless, she sprang from the saddle, half falling to the ground. By the time she had recovered her footing, Davis had also dismounted and had reached her side. As he did so his horse gave an alarmed bound and tore away at full speed. With an oath at his loss the man turned to secure Mauchacho, who was standing with trailing reins and dejected head near his mistress. Just then a great tree snapped and fell crashing to the ground. Taking Bess by the arm the determined man carried her into the cabin. How dark and gloomy was the place! A mountain rat scurried out of sight at the intrusion. Releasing his hold the man walked sullenly across the room and stood watching the fury of the storm from the open doorway.