Page:Vance--The trey o hearts.djvu/234

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CHAPTER XXXVIII
Hopi Jim

ONCE she had lost touch with her father's creatures, the girl drew rein and went on more slowly and cautiously.

Below her, in the valley, from time to time she could discern three mounted figures. To their progress she regulated her own, abbreviating her own rests in order that they might not distance her who followed a more arduous trail.

As chance served she would scout a little distance back along the upper trail, thinking to surprise pursuit by the men she had defied. But not once did she find any sign to show that she was being followed; and by nightfall she comforted herself with the assurance that Hopi Jim and Marrophat must have guided themselves by her advice, and returned with their report to Seneca Trine.

It was within an hour of midnight when Alan's party made its last pause and camped, unconscious of the fact that, a quarter of a mile above them, a lonely woman paused when they paused and made

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