The Light of the Western Stars by Zane Grey (i can read books .TXT) ๐
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- Author: Zane Grey
Read book online ยซThe Light of the Western Stars by Zane Grey (i can read books .TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Zane Grey
โThey'll slope off to Don Carlos's rancho and leave us to ride home alone,โ observed Florence.
โDo you mind?โ questioned Madeline.
โNo, I don't exactly mind; we've got the fastest horses in this country. I'd like to run that big black devil off his legs. No, I don't mind; but I've no hankering for a situation Gene Stewart thinksโโ
Florence began disconnectedly, and she ended evasively. Madeline did not press the point, although she had some sense of misgiving. Stillwell tramped in, shaking the floor with his huge boots; Alfred followed him, carrying a field-glass.
โNot a hoss in sight,โ complained Stillwell. โSome-thin' wrong over Don Carlos's way. Miss Majesty, it'll be jest as well fer you an' Flo to hit the home trail. We can telephone over an' see that the boys know you're comin'.โ
Alfred, standing in the door, swept the gray valley with his field-glass.
โBill, I see running stock-horses or cattle; I can't make out which. I guess we'd better rustle over there.โ
Both men hurried out, and while the horses were being brought up and saddled Madeline and Florence put away the breakfast-dishes, then speedily donned spurs, sombreros, and gauntlets.
โHere are the horses ready,โ called Alfred. โFlo, that black Mexican horse is a prince.โ
The girls went out in time to hear Stillwell's good-by as he mounted and spurred away. Alfred went through the motions of assisting Madeline and Florence to mount, which assistance they always flouted, and then he, too, swung up astride.
โI guess it's all right,โ he said, rather dubiously. โYou really must not go over toward Don Carlos's. It's only a few miles home.โ
โSure it's all right. We can ride, can't we?โ retorted Florence. โBetter have a care for yourself, going off over there to mix in goodness knows what.โ
Alfred said good-by, spurred his horse, and rode away.
โIf Bill didn't forget to telephone!โ exclaimed Florence. โI declare he and Al were sure rattled.โ
Florence dismounted and went into the house. She left the door open. Madeline had some difficulty in holding Majesty. It struck Madeline that Florence stayed rather long indoors. Presently she came out with sober face and rather tight lips.
โI couldn't get anybody on the 'phone. No answer. I tried a dozen times.โ
โWhy, Florence!โ Madeline was more concerned by the girl's looks than by the information she imparted.
โThe wire's been cut,โ said Florence. Her gray glance swept swiftly after Alfred, who was now far out of earshot. โI don't like this a little bit. Heah's where I've got to 'figger,' as Bill says.โ
She pondered a moment, then hurried into the house, to return presently with the field-glass that Alfred had used. With this she took a survey of the valley, particularly in the direction of Madeline's ranch-house. This was hidden by low, rolling ridges which were quite close by.
โAnyway, nobody in that direction can see us leave heah,โ she mused. โThere's mesquite on the ridges. We've got cover long enough to save us till we can see what's ahead.โ
โFlorence, whatโwhat do you expect?โ asked Madeline, nervously.
โI don't know. There's never any telling about Greasers. I wish Bill and Al hadn't left us. Still, come to think of that, they couldn't help us much in case of a chase. We'd run right away from them. Besides, they'd shoot. I guess I'm as well as satisfied that we've got the job of getting home on our own hands. We don't dare follow Al toward Don Carlos's ranch. We know there's trouble over there. So all that's left is to hit the trail for home. Come, let's ride. You stick like a Spanish needle to me.โ
A heavy growth of mesquite covered the top of the first ridge, and the trail went through it. Florence took the lead, proceeding cautiously, and as soon as she could see over the summit she used the field-glass. Then she went on. Madeline, following closely, saw down the slope of the ridge to a bare, wide, grassy hollow, and onward to more rolling land, thick with cactus and mesquite. Florence appeared cautious, deliberate, yet she lost no time. She was ominously silent. Madeline's misgivings took definite shape in the fear of vaqueros in ambush.
Upon the ascent of the third ridge, which Madeline remembered was the last uneven ground between the point she had reached and home, Florence exercised even more guarded care in advancing. Before she reached the top of this ridge she dismounted, looped her bridle round a dead snag, and, motioning Madeline to wait, she slipped ahead through the mesquite out of sight. Madeline waited, anxiously listening and watching. Certain it was that she could not see or hear anything alarming. The sun began to have a touch of heat; the morning breeze rustled the thin mesquite foliage; the deep magenta of a cactus flower caught her eye; a long-tailed, cruel-beaked, brown bird sailed so close to her she could have touched it with her whip. But she was only vaguely aware of these things. She was watching for Florence, listening for some sound fraught with untoward meaning. All of a sudden she saw Majesty's ears were held straight up. Then Florence's face, now strangely white, showed round the turn of the trail.
โ'S-s-s-sh!โ whispered Florence, holding up a warning finger. She reached the black horse and petted him, evidently to still an uneasiness he manifested. โWe're in for it,โ she went on. โA whole bunch of vaqueros hiding among the mesquite over the ridge! They've not seen or heard us yet. We'd better risk riding ahead, cut off the trail, and beat them to the ranch. Madeline, you're white as death! Don't faint now!โ
โI shall not faint. But you frighten me. Is there danger? What shall we do?โ
โThere's danger. Madeline, I wouldn't deceive you,โ went on Florence, in an earnest whisper. โThings have turned out just as Gene Stewart hinted. Oh, we shouldโAl should have listened to Gene! I believeโI'm afraid Gene knew!โ
โKnew what?โ asked Madeline.
โNever mind now. Listen. We daren't take the back trail. We'll go on. I've a scheme to fool that grinning Don Carlos. Get down, Madelineโhurry.โ
Madeline dismounted.
โGive me your white sweater. Take it offโAnd that white hat! Hurry, Madeline.โ
โFlorence, what on earth do you mean?โ cried Madeline.
โNot so loud,โ whispered the other. Her gray eyes snapped. She had divested herself of
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