We can't live the life of
Indians."
"But Jack, think of me watching you ride out from home! Think of me
always looking for Snap! I couldn't endure it. I've grown weak in this
year of absence."
"Mescal, look at me." His voice rang as he held her face to face. "We
must decide everything. Now--say you love me!"
"Yes--yes."
"Say it."
"I--love you--Jack."
"Say you'll marry me!"
"I will marry you."
"Then listen. I'll get you out of this canyon and take you home. You
are mine and I'll keep you." He held her tightly with strong arms; his
face paled, his eyes darkened. "I don't want to meet Snap Naab. I shall
try to keep out of his way. I hope I can. But Mescal, I'm yours now.
Your happiness--perhaps your life--depends on me. That makes a
difference. Understand!"
Silvermane walked into the glade with a saddle-girth so tight that his
master unbuckled it only by dint of repeated effort. Evidently the rich
grass of Thunder River Canyon appealed strongly to the desert stallion.
"Here, Silver, how do you expect to carry us out if you eat and drink
like that?" Hare removed the saddle and tethered the gray to one of the
cottonwoods.
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