He turned and strode to his horse. In another moment they were riding rapidly toward the rim of the crater.
De Launay watched them for some time and then went into the cabin. He came out a moment later carrying saddle and bridle. On his thighs were now hanging holsters on both sides, and both were strapped down at the bottoms.
He caught and saddled his horse, taking his time to the operation. Then, searching the darkening surface of the crater wall, he found no trace of the two who had ridden away. But he busied himself in getting food and eating it. It was fully an hour after they had gone before he mounted and rode after them.
By this time Solange and Sucatash had reached the rim and were well on their way through the down timber. More by luck than any knowledge of the way, they managed to strike the game trail, and wound through the impeding snags, the cow-puncher taking the lead and the girl following listlessly in his wake. Before dark had come upon 278 them they had gained the level bench and were riding toward the gulch which led into the cañon.
After a while Sucatash spoke. “Where you aimin’ to camp, ma’am?”
“I am going down to these miners,” she said flatly.
“But, mad’mo’selle, that camp ain’t no place for you. There ain’t no women there, most likely, and the men are sure to be a tough bunch. I wouldn’t like to let you go there.”
“I am going,” she answered. To his further remonstrances she interposed a stony silence.
He gave it up after a while. As though that were a signal, she became more loquacious.
“In a mining camp, one would suppose that the men, as you have said, are violent and fierce?”