The men, too, grew silent, and the time dragged. Bess gave a sigh and made a tentative effort to rise, but a gentle, restraining hand on her shoulder told her that though the man at her side was silent, he was still solicitous. James, becoming weary of standing, seated himself with his back pressed tight against that of his sister.
How the thoughts began chasing each other through the girl’s brain! Little incidents of her girlhood days, or perhaps some memory of happy companionship at school would cause her to smile. Then, again, a sigh at some memory came unconsciously from her lips; and once, as she recalled a humorous episode, a little ripple of laughter escaped her.
“Enjoying yourself, Bess?” asked James, irritably, at her jocular outburst. “I wish this infernal rain would let up so we could get home some time today,” he added.
“It seems to be letting up some now,” said West. “If you’ll let me take the mackinaw, please, I’ll go out and take a look over the hills and see how much longer we shall have to wait.”
When West had gone out into the rain, Bess asked her brother what time of day it was. “We’ve been here two infernal hours,” he said, “and it is nearly noon. I wish we had some lunch, for we’ll all be mighty hungry before we reach the ranch.”
“Please, James, don’t be cross. That won’t drive the rain away, and it only makes us feel more uncomfortable. Ah! Here comes the weather man! I can tell by the looks of his face that there is soon to be a rainbow!” cried the girl, joyfully, as West re-entered the shelter.
“Yes, the clouds are lifting, and it will soon be safe to start. I fear you’ll suffer from the mud, Miss Bess.”
“It will be a shame to spoil this green,” she replied, “but I fear I must bear it for my stomach’s sake. Since James mentioned being hungry I have developed such an alarming craving for something to eat that it seems as if I had not tasted food in days. Oh! I wish there were some place where we could get our dinner!”
“There is,” answered West; “over at Joe Nedreau’s, about eight miles further on.”
Soon the rain ceased, and the men hurried with the saddles. They picked their way carefully through the water-soaked sod till they reached the road, where the water was running like miniature rivers. At first Bess tried to guard her skirt from the muddy onslaughts, but soon saw that her efforts were of no avail and urged her horse into a faster gait.