In daytime a mile would have been
a small handicap, but with the night and the hills to cover their
flight, and with such mounts as Satan and the tall bay, they were
safe. In half an hour all sound of them died out, and Haines,
following Dan's example, slowed his horse to an easy gallop.
The long rider was puzzled by his companion's horsemanship, for Dan
rode leaning far to the right of his saddle, with his head bowed.
Several times Haines was on the verge of speaking, but he refrained.
He commenced to sing in the exultation of freedom. An hour before he
had been in the "rat-trap" with a circle of lynchers around him, and
only two terror-stricken guards to save him from the most horrible of
deaths. Then came Fate and tore him away and gave him to the liberty
of the boundless hills. Fate in the person of this slender, sombre
man. He stared at Dan with awe.
At the top of a hill his companion drew rein, reeling in the saddle
with the suddenness of the halt. However, in such a horseman, this
could not be. It must be merely a freak feature of his riding.
"Move," said Dan, his breath coming in pants. "Line out and get to
her."
"To who?" said Haines, utterly bewildered.
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