And when these discovered the truth they would be hot upon a trail where concealment was impossible.

The only hope of escape, and that far from brilliant,--as he remembered the long desert ride from the distant cow-camp on the Cimarron,--lay in immediate departure.
Every moment of delay served to increase their peril.

Even beyond the danger of Dupont's report to Black Kettle, this snow-bound valley was not so far away from that chief's camp as to be safe from invasion by young warriors in search of game.

All this flashed upon Hamlin's consciousness instantly, even as his heart thrilled to her frank avowal.
"This is so strange I can hardly realize the truth," he said gravely.
"But, dear one, we must talk elsewhere, and not here.

Life was never before worth so much as it is now, and every instant we waste here may mean capture and death.