“Gracious! I hope not. Come, let us get away from this place.”
Stacy was quite ready to move, and took the lead, Elfreda following. They lost no time in getting back to the cabin, but, as they approached, Stacy again began to lag.
“Aren’t we going down to the river and try to find our way back to our party?” he asked as his companion started to enter the cottage.
“Not yet. I have something to do in here first,” she made reply. “Oh!” Elfreda sprang back.
“There’s someone in there,” she whispered.
Elfreda looked her disgust, and, summoning her courage, stepped into the cabin.
“I was waiting to see how steady your nerves are,” answered a voice that brought a thrill to her. A man rose and stepped towards her.
“Mr. White! Stacy, come in, it’s all right,” she called, a happier note in her voice. “I am so glad to see you, for I need you.” Elfreda shook hands with the guide. “How long have you been here?”
“I came in just a moment ago. My horse is down near the river, where I picked up your trail and came up here. What has been going on here? I believe there was some shooting up this way. So it sounded to me.”
“The Murrays have been here, and, had it not been for Stacy, I fear something serious might have happened to me. Stacy really saved me, even going so far as to let one of the outlaws shoot at him. Would you think, from what you have seen of him, that Stacy is brave enough to fight a duel with one of that gang?”
Ham White looked solemn and shook his head.
“Our party is very much worried about you, Miss Briggs—”
“Oh, are they all right?” cried the Overland girl, flushing at thought of her forgetfulness.
“Every one of them, but we must get back to them as soon as possible. Tell me the story.”
Elfreda then related the whole story of her experiences, passing briefly over her trip down the creek and the river, and relating the story of the arrival of Sam Petersen and his death, omitting the incident of the diary, as well as the story of the lost mine and the bag of nuggets and dust.
“There!” answered the girl in a low voice, pointing to the bunk. “You and Stacy will please do what is necessary. I could do it if I had to, but so long as you are here it is better not.”
“What did the ruffian who came back here look like?”