The ranchers spoke slowly to one another, and their faces were sombre, but Hallam, who stood amidst the other men, was smiling over a big cigar.
The girl clenched her hands as she watched him, and then turning her head looked down the valley.
"I fancy I hear hoofs.

He told me he would come," she said, but Townshead, who sat apathetically in the old leather chair, shook his head.
"He has, of course, forgotten if he did," he said.
"No," said the girl with a trace of harshness in her voice.

"Mr.Alton never forgets a promise.

That must be the drumming of hoofs.

Can you hear nothing ?" "The river," said Townshead despondently.