CHAPTER XIV
The Race for Life
He could hear the crackling of the shrubbery as the horses of the outlaws
pushed their way through to the higher ground, and it was not long before
he caught sight of them, riding in single file, the captain leading the
way.
With the utmost caution he followed, taking advantage of every bush and
tree, ready to dodge behind them or fall to the ground as the case might
demand. For a time they proceeded at a walk, owing to the rough going,
but as soon as they got to more level ground they put the spurs to their
horses and galloped on at a rapid gait. Bert drifted after them like a
ghost, never letting them get more than half a mile a head, for fear that
they might turn into some byroad and give him the slip. Twice one of the
men turned in the saddle and looked behind him, probably more as the
result of habit than from any real fear that they might be followed, but
each time Bert had discounted the movement and was lying flat on the
ground.
As the latter had surmised, the most of the way lay through a genuine
wilderness, over mountain trails and through ravines that lent themselves
admirably to the lawless purposes of the outlaws.
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