For a moment the other remained
standing over him, the heavy revolver poised, but the prostrate figure
lay still, and the conqueror slipped his weapon back into its leather
sheath with a sigh of relief.
The noise of their struggle must have carried far through that solemn
stillness, and no one could guess how near at hand might be bands of
prowling savages. Yet no sound came to his strained ears except the
soft soughing of the night wind through the trees, and the rustling of
grass beneath the tread of the horses. With the quick decision of one
long accustomed to meet emergencies, Hampton unbuckled the lariat from
one of the led animals, and bound Murphy's hands and limbs securely.
As he worked he thought rapidly. He comprehended the extreme
desperation of their present situation. While the revolver blow might
possibly restore Murphy to a degree of sanity, it was far more probable
that he would awaken violent. Yet he could not deliberately leave this
man to meet a fate of horror in the wilderness. Which way should they
turn? Enough food, if used sparingly, might remain to permit of a
hasty retreat to Cheyenne, and there would be comparatively little
danger in that direction.
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