"And they're a-comin' this way; makin' straight for the house," he
added, glancing from the door, then shutting it with a bang. "They're
after that man; you may depend. He's a 'balitionist, or a horse thief, or
somethin'."
The children crouched, silent, pale, and terror-stricken, in a corner,
while outside, the deep baying of the hounds drew nearer and nearer, and
mingling with it came other sounds of horses' hoofs and the gruff voices
of men. Then a loud "Halloo the house!"
"What's wanted?" asked Bill, opening the one window and putting out his
head.
"The burglar you're hiding from justice and the hounds have tracked to
your door. A fellow with his right arm disabled by a pistol-shot."
"He isn't here, didn't step inside at all; don't ye see the hounds are
turning away from the door? But you kin come in an' look for yourself."
One of the men dismounted and went in.
"Look round sharp now," said the woman. "I only wish he was here fur ye to
ketch um: if I'd know'd he was a burglar, he would never hev got off so
easy. He jest come for his beast that he left with us four days ago, and
mounted there at the door and was off like a shot."
"Which way?" asked the man.
She pointed in a southerly direction. "It's the way to Texas, ain't it?
an' he's got four or five hours the start o' ye, an' on a swift horse;
he'll be over the border line afore ye kin ketch up to him.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193