It was dark before he composed himself and went out, and
then he had not the desire to eat. He made no move to open the supplies of
food, did not even make a light. But he went out to take grass and water to
the horses. When he returned to the cabin a man was standing at the porch.
Slone recognized Holley's shape and then his voice.
"Son, you raised the devil to-day."
"Holley, don't you go back on me!" cried Slone. "I was driven!"
"Don't talk so loud," whispered the rider in return. "I've only a minnit.
. . . Here--a letter from Lucy. . . . An', son, don't git the idee thet
I'll go back on you."
Slone took the letter with trembling fingers. All the fury and gloom instantly
fled. Lucy had written him! He could not speak.
"Son, I'm double-crossin' the boss, right this minnit!" whispered Holley,
hoarsely. "An' the same time I'm playin' Lucy's game. If Bostil finds out
he'll kill me. I mustn't be ketched up here. But I won't lose track of
you--wherever you go."
Holley slipped away stealthily in the dusk, leaving Slone with a throbbing
heart.
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