did. He took fresh hold on the reins, and, grim,
and deliberate, and vengeful, swung about after
Johnson. Further, in swinging his horse about
he purposely crowded the sorrel over also. This
brought both in direct pursuit of Johnson, and
soon they overtook him. But not because of their
greater speed.

Suffering from an unwonted raking of spurs,
Pat had taken to sudden rebellion -- balking at
first, then beginning to buck, flinging about in all
directions except the way desired by the fugitive
on his back. Riding close and noting this, Jim
felt glad beyond all decency. He even chuckled
with satisfaction, conscious almost of a desire to
dismount and hug the black. Then his feeling
changed. He regretted his glee, became fearful
for the man, and called sharply to the horse. And
now Pat came to a stand. This for a moment
only. Then of his own accord he sprang forward
again, speeding as eagerly now as but a moment
before he had rebelled, and soon he was galloping
alongside the gray. Eminently pleased with the
whole performance, Jim again chuckled in delight
and burst forward at top speed.

Nor was this rebellion lost on Stephen. Riding
well forward of the others, when he saw Pat offering
resistance he whipped and spurred his mount
in the hope that Pat would hold out. But Pat
did not hold out, though Stephen knew that he
would have, had he but understood. Also, there
was his handicap -- handicap of the others also.
Neither he nor they dared to fire lest they should

[[204]]

p203 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p204w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p205

v?