ickly that Hamlin's mind had not yet fully
adjusted itself to all the details. He was naturally a man of few
words, deciding on a course of action quietly, yet not apt to deviate
from any conclusion finally reached. But he had been hurried, pressed
into this adventure, and now welcomed an opportunity to think it all
out coolly. At first, for a half mile or more, the plunging buckskin
kept him busy, bucking viciously, rearing, leaping madly from side to
side, practising every known equine trick to dislodge the grim rider in
the saddle. The man fought out the battle silently, immovable as a
rock, and apparently as indifferent. Twice his spurs brought blood,
and once he struck the rearing head with clenched fist. The light of
the stars revealed the faint lines of the trail, and he was content to
permit the maddened brute to race forward, until, finally mastered, the
animal settled down into a swift gallop, but with ears laid back in
ugly defiance. The rider's gray eyes smiled pleasantly as he settled
more comfortably into the saddle, peering out from beneath the stiff
brim of his scouting hat; then they hardened, and the man swore softly
under his breath.

The peculiar nature of this mission which he had taken upon himself had
been recalled. He was always doing something like that--permitting
himself to become involved in the affairs of others. Now why should he
be here, riding alone through the dark to prevent this unknown girl
from reaching Devere? She was nothing to him--even that glimpse of her
pictured face had not impressed him greatly; rather interesting, to be
sure, but nothing extraordinary; besides he was not a woman's man, and,
through years of isolation, had grown to avoid contact with the
sex--and he was under no possible obligation to either McDonald or
Travers. Yet here he was, fully committed, drawn into the vortex, by a
hasty ill-considered decision. He was tired still from his swift
journey across the desert from Fort Union, and now faced another three
days' ride. Then what? A headstrong girl to be convinced of danger,
and controlled. The longer he thought about it all, the more intensely
disagreeable the task appeared, yet the clearer did he appreciate its
necessity. He chafed at the knowledge that it had become his
work--that he had permitted himself to be ensnared--yet he dug his
spurs into the mustang and rode steadily, grimly, forward.

The real truth was that Hamlin comprehended muc