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moved away from Headquarters Mountainthat's my mountainmaybe no
other woman would ever come there to live； so I stored myself； because I
was determined to learn the business of being a woman。〃
The large woman gazed upon her admiringly。 〃I guess you learned； all
right。〃
They had not gone five miles before the large woman and her younger
sister were in love with Lahomabut it hadn't taken Wilfred five miles。 As
he listened to her bright suggestions； and noted her living eyes； her
impulsive gesturesfor she could not talk without making little
movements with her handsand her flexible sympathetic voice； he saw her
moving about a well…ordered household。。。。 It was on his farm； of course；
and the house was his；and she was his Lahoma。。。。
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Red Kimball watched her with the same sidewise attention； but his
face was brooding； his half…veiled eyes were red and threatening。 What
would happen in the nighttime as the stage pursued its lonely way across
the bleak prairie？ Since Red Kimball meant to appeal to the law in his
revenge against Brick； there was no danger of his transgressing it openly。
But in the darkness with two unscrupulous companions under his
command； he would most probably execute some scheme to prevent
Lahoma from reaching her destination。
The evening shadows were stretching far toward the east from the few
trees that marked the dried bed of a stream； when the coach stopped
among a collection of hovels and tents。 As the horses were led away； the
passengers dismounted； and both Wilfred and Red Kimball hurriedly drew
close to Lahoma。
Lahoma； however； appeared unaware of their presence。 The sisters had
been met by the husband of the older； and as they gathered about the big
wagon； Lahoma was urged to go home with them to supper。 〃We're only a
little ways out；〃 she was told； 〃and we'll sure get you back before the stage
leavesthe victuals at the station ain't fit to eat。〃
A very little insistence induced Lahoma to comply； and both the young
man and the former highwayman saw her go with disappointment。
Kimball and his friends went into the 〃Dining Hall〃 to gulp down a hasty
meal； and Wilfred entered with them。 He remained only a moment；
however； just long enough to purchase a number of sandwiches which he
stored away； as if meaning to eat them in the coach。
As soon as he was in the single street with the door closed behind him；
he darted toward the stage barn； and by means of a handsome deposit
obtained two horses。 Springing upon one； he rode rapidly from the
settlement； leading the other； and in a short time； came in sight of a cabin；
which； with its outhouses； was the only building in all the wide expanse。
From its appearance he knew it to be the one described to Lahoma； and he
galloped up to the door with the certainty of finding her within。 The big
wagon had been unhitched； and the horses were fastened to its wheels；
eating from the bed。
The family was about to sit down to supper； the first to discover
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Wilfred as he flitted past the single window in the side of the cabin； was
Lahoma。 Before he could knock on the door； she had opened it。
〃Oh； Wilfred！〃 she reproached him； 〃they'll miss you and know you've
come to consult with me about warning Brick。〃
〃Quick； Lahoma！〃 said Wilfred； as if she had not spoken； 〃you can ride
a horse； I suppose？〃 He smiled； but his eyes were sparkling with
impatience。
In a flash； Lahoma's face was glowing with enthusiasm。 She looked
back into the room and cried； 〃Good…by！〃 Then Wilfred swung her to the
back of the led horse。 〃We'll beat 'em！〃 cried Lahoma； as he sprang upon
his horse。 〃Fast as you pleaseI've never been left behind； yet！〃
The young man noted with sudden relief that she was dressed for the
hardships of the prairie。 It came to him with a sense of wonder that he had
not noticed that before； perhaps from never having seen her in fashionable
attire。 As they galloped from the cabin； from whose door looked
astonished faces； Lahoma answered his thought
〃Up there；〃 she said； nodding her head toward the East； 〃I dressed for
peoplebut out here； for wind and sand。〃
Looking back； she saw the family running out of the cottage； waving
handkerchiefs and bonnets as in the mad joy of congratulation。
〃They think we're running away together！〃 shouted Wilfred with
exultation。 The hurry of their flight； the certainty of pursuit； the prospect
of dangers from man and nature； thrilled his blood； fixed his jaw；
illumined his eye。 All life seemed suddenly a flight across a level world
whose cloud of yellow dust enveloped only himself and Lahoma。 〃They
think we're running away together。 Look at them； Lahoma。 How happy
they are at the idea！〃
〃They don't know there's nobody to object； if we don't；〃 returned
Lahoma gaily； as she urged on her steed。 〃Come along； Wilfred；〃 she
taunted； as his horse fell a neck behind hers； 〃what are you staying back
THERE for？ Tired？ If we get into the trail before that coach starts； we'll
have to put on all speed。〃
〃Doing my best；〃 he called； 〃but I made a bad bargain when I got this
beast。 This is his best lick； and it doesn't promise to last long。 However； it
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was the only one left at the barn。〃
Lahoma slightly checked her animal。 〃That's a good thing； anywayif
there's none left； those horrible men can't follow。〃
Wilfred did not answer。 He was sure the stage would be driven in
pursuit at breakneck speed； and from the breathing of his horse he feared it
could not long endure the contest。 To be sure； Red Kimball and his men
had no lawful excuse to offer the stage…driver for an attempt to stop them；
but three men who had once been desperate highwaymen might not look
for lawful excuses on a dark night in a dreary desert。 Besides； Kimball
might； with some show of reason； argue that since he was bent on the
legitimate object of having a writ served on Brick Willock；