The women didn't complain about the grueling pace, but the group
stopped when the sun was going down and made camp by a clear stream.
Daniel had wanted to push on, but Cole refused.
While Grace and Jessica unpacked the food Cole had gotten in town,
Daniel paced.
'We should keep going, ' he said. 'The moonlight's good tonight. '
Cole shook his head again. 'Look at Jessie and Grace, ' he
suggested.
'They're both half dead. The horses aren't in much better shape. '
'But we couldt' Cole cut him off. 'The idea is to get a live witness
there, not a dead one.' Daniel came to his senses. 'Yeah, you're
right.' While he helped Cole with the horses, he kept glancing at
Grace and Jessica. The two of them were covered with dust and looked
too tired to move.
'Maybe I did push a little hard today, ' he conceded.
Cole was already thinking about tomorrow. 'Did you send a wire to the
sheriff in Blackwater? ' 'Yes, but I didn't get an answer. That
worries me.'
'We'll be there tomorrow afternoon, and then maybe we can finish
this.'
'It still won't be over, ' Daniel said. 'We have to get Rebecca and
the man in charge.'
'Do you think the man they're holding is Bell? ' 'Jessica saw him and
said he turned when the leader called his name, and he wasn't one of
the four in the saloon. It has to be Bell.'
'Rebecca could be with Bell.'
'No, she'd align herself with the one running the show. She wouldn't
take up with one of the hirelings.'
'Maybe, but don't get your hopes up.' Several minutes passed in
silence while Daniel carried the saddles over to the camp and Cole
brushed the horses.
'Daniel? ' Cole said. 'I've been thinking.'
'Yes? ' 'If Jessica tells you it is Bell, you aren't thinking about
doing anything you'd regret, are you? ' 'What would you do if you knew
he killed your wife and your baby? ' Cole thought it over a long while
before answering.
