"Are we going to stay here all night?" she asked with a pathetic
attempt at lightness.
"That's my business."
"Don't you want me to help you?"
"You've helped me all you can with the gun and food."
"If you're going to Partridgeville, I'd go along and show you the way."
He leaped up.
"_Now I know you been lyin_!'" he bellowed. "You said you was headed
for Millington. And you ain't at all. You're watchin' your chance to
get the drop on me and have me took--that's what you're doin'!"
"Wait!" she pleaded desperately. "I _was_ going to Millington. But
I'd turn back and show you the way to Partridgeville to help you."
"What's it to you?" He had drawn the gun from his belt and now was
fingering it nervously.
"You're lost up here in the mountains, aren't you?" she said.
"I couldn't let you stay lost if it was possible for me to direct
you on your way."
"You said you was lost yourself."
"I was lost--until I stumbled into this clearing. That gave me my
location."
"Smart, ain't you? Damn' smart, but not too smart for me, you woman!"
The flare flamed up again in his crooked eyes. "You know who I be,
all right. You know what I'm aimin' to do. And you're stallin' for
time till you can put one over.
Pages:
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314