Even at this casual gait they would reach the point at which he and the gray must swing onto the floor of the valley before him unless he urged Molly to top speed.

He must get there at a sufficient distance from them to escape close rifle fire, and certainly beyond point-blank revolver range.

Accordingly he threw his weight more into the stirrups and over the withers of the mare.

This brought greater poundage on her forehand and made her apt to stumble or actually miss her step, but it increased her running power.
There was no need of a touch of the spurs.

The gathering of the reins seemed to tell Molly everything.