. Tracy, absorbed in contemplation of Miss Flower's radiant face, and
in the effort to make his own words eloquent, had no ears for those of
others. He never heeded the trader's excited outburst. He only saw her
suddenly flinch, suddenly pale, then sway. His ready arm was round her
in a twinkling. In a twinkling she twisted free from the undesired
clasp.

"Just--my foot turned!--a pebble!" she gasped.

But when, all assiduity, Tracy would have seated her on the horseblock
and examined the delicate ankle, she refused straightway, and with
almost savage emphasis, and with rigid lips from which all loveliness
had fled, bade him lead on home, where, despite protest and appeal,
personal and professional, she dismissed him curtly.

CHAPTER VI

FIRST SIGHT OF THE FOE

Ray's gallant half hundred, as has been said, took the route for the
north at break of day. Before them spread the open prairie, apparently
level and unbroken for full five miles to the front and either flank,
the distant slopes and ridges bounding the level expanse growing more
distinct with every moment, and presently lighting up in exulting
radiance in response to the rosy blushes of the eastward sky. Scorning
the dusty stage road, the troop commander pointed to a distant height
just visible against the northward horizon, bade the leading guide march
straight on that; then gave the order "Right by Twos," that he might the
more readily note the gait and condition of every horse and the bearing
and equipment of his rider. There was still time to weed out weaklings
of either class should any such there be. Riding slowly along the left
flank, one after another, he carefully scanned every man and mount in
his little detachment, then, at quicker pace, passed around to the
eastward side of the column, and as critically, carefully studied them
from that point of view. A light of quiet satisfaction shone in his
fine, dark eyes as he finished, for, next to his wife and children,
that troop was Ray's supreme delight. The preliminary look-over by
lantern light had been all sufficient. This later inspection on the move
revealed not a steed amiss, not an item of equipment either misplaced or
lacking. "Steady as planets," barring the irrepressible tendency of some
young, high-spirited horse to dance a bit until quieted by the monotony
of the succeeding miles, at quick, light-hoofed walk, the sorrels
tripped easily along in precise, yet companionable couples. "On