arch for him could be found. So thinking,
I readjusted my cartridge-belt, swung the rifle muzzle to the front,
ready for instant use, should occasion demand it, and, not without
some unpleasant, creepy sensations at the roots of my hair, I dropped
down into the ravine.

CHAPTER XXIV

HUNTING FOR GUARD

The ravine was a mile or more in length, and I traversed it rapidly
without coming upon any traces of Guard or the wildcat.

Sooner than I had expected, despite my anxiety, the ravine widened,
the encroaching walls became lower, the light stronger, and, in a
moment more, I came out on a wide, park-like opening, back of Mr.
Horton's house.

I had not met Mrs. Horton since the morning that the wheat crop was
destroyed, although I had seen her passing the house frequently on her
way to and from the store. It was plain that she avoided us, through
no fault or desire of her own, but out of very shame because of the
brand on the cattle that had ruined our crops. Casting about in my
mind for an excuse for calling on her now, I was impelled to go on,
even without an excuse. My conscience told me that I had treated her
with less kindness on that occasion than she deserved. Striking into
the cattle trail that, bordering the park, led to Horton's corral, I
followed it to the corral gate, and was soon after knocking at
Horton's front door. My knock was answered by Mrs. Horton, who
exclaimed in astonishment at sight of me:

"Why, I declare! I thought you'd be gone to town to-day, sure. Has
Jessie gone?"

"Oh yes; and Ralph is at Mrs. Wilson's."

"Well, well! Come right in! And so you didn't go. I don't see how you
managed it, hardly."

"Joe came home in time to drive down, and Mr.--we thought it best not
to leave the homestead alone."

Mrs. Horton nodded her head approvingly.

"That was a good thought; you can't be too careful. I declare, I wish
you had brought Ralph over here--the precious! I've been feeling as
lonesome as an owl this morning. Generally I don't mind being left
alone, not a bit; I'm used to it; but I was feeling disappointed
to-day, and so everything goes against the grain, I s'pose."

I must have looked sympathetic, for she presently broke out:

"I don't feel, Leslie, as if I was an unreasonable or exacting kind of
woman, in general, but Jake talked last night as if he thought I was.
You see, I had set my heart on going to town when it came time for you
girls to prove up. I'd thought of lots