“Nell, I'm as scared as you are,” said Bo, consolingly, embracing her sister.
“I reckon that's natural,” said Dale, as if excusing them. “But, scared or not, you both brace up. It's a bad job. But I've done my best. An' you'll be safer with me an' the Beeman boys than you'd be in Magdalena, or anywhere else, except your uncle's.”
“Mr.—Mr. Dale,” faltered Helen, with her tears falling, “don't think me a coward—or—or ungrateful. I'm neither. It's only I'm so—so shocked. After all we hoped and expected—this—this—is such a—a terrible surprise.”
“Never mind, Nell dear. Let's take what comes,” murmured Bo.
“That's the talk,” said Dale. “You see, I've come right out with the worst. Maybe we'll get through easy. When we meet the boys we'll take to the horses an' the trails. Can you ride?”
“Bo has been used to horses all her life and I ride fairly well,” responded Helen. The idea of riding quickened her spirit.
“Good! We may have some hard ridin' before I get you up to Pine. Hello! What's that?”
Above the creaking, rattling, rolling roar of the stage Helen heard a rapid beat of hoofs. A horse flashed by, galloping hard.
Dale opened the door and peered out. The stage rolled to a halt. He stepped down and gazed ahead.
“Joe, who was that?” he queried.