Without slackening his speed he shifted the reins to his left hand.
But a few moments later he was obliged to halt and tighten the saddle-girths that had slipped in the onset.
This in his crippled condition took some time.
He had no fear of pursuit, but looking up he saw that the eastern stars were already paling, and that the distant peaks had lost their ghostly whiteness, and now stood out blackly against a lighter sky.
Day was upon him.
Then completely absorbed in a single idea, he forgot the pain of his wound, and mounting again dashed on towards Rattlesnake Creek.
But now Jovita’s breath came broken by gasps, Dick reeled in his saddle, and brighter and brighter grew the sky.
Ride, Richard; run, Jovita; linger, O day!
For the last few rods there was a roaring in his ears.
Was it exhaustion from loss of blood, or what?