They rode silent beside the creek, which was like a laughing companion seeking to mock them into a cheerier mood.

At an opening through the hills they saw the western horizon aglow in tints of lemon deepening into gold and purple.

Save for the riot of the brook the world was at peace.

She met his eyes for an instant, and their gravity, and the firm lines in which his lips were set, showed that the shock of his encounter had not yet passed.
"You must think me a strange person, Miss Claiborne.

It seems inexplicable that a man's life should be so menaced in a place like this.
If you had not called to me--" "Please don't speak of that! It was so terrible!" "But I must speak of it! Once before the same attempt was made--that night on the _King Edward_." "Yes; I have not forgotten." "And to-day I have reason to believe that the same man watched his chance, for I have ridden here every day since I came, and he must have kept track of me." "But this is America, Mr.Armitage!" "That does not help me with you.