"We ain't settled all the details," said Sandy. "But we'll do that all right. We'll git ready soon's we can. Meantime, we'll keep our eyes peeled ter-morrer against any order from Hereford." "Want to use this car? I'll bring it over early. Ed can drive it." The gangling youth for the first time showed an intelligent interest in anything outside of his cigarette. "Fo' time's sake, aunt," he said, "'twouldn't be no manner of good if it come down to a runnin' chase. Nearest depot's fifty mile' across the county line. Racin' this car ag'in' the sheriff's 'ud be like matchin' a flea ag'in' a grasshopper. Dern it, she's balked ag'in." He wrestled with the crank, conquered it and the machine shivered like a hunting dog while his aunt adjusted spark and gas. She nodded to him to start and they moved off, Miranda waving a farewell as she called out, "Good luck!" "Some sport!" announced Sam. "That's the kind of woman you sh'ud have married, Mormon." Molly, excited now, demanded audience. "When do we start?" she asked eagerly. "Will you wait till they come out from Hereford?" "I got to think out things a bit, Molly," said Sandy. "I figger we'll git a start on 'em, ef you can git ready. In the mornin'." "I haven't got much to take." "We'll buy you an outfit." "Horseback?" Sandy looked at her with puckered eyes. "Can't tell you what I ain't sure of myse'f," he drawled. "One thing is sure, you got to tuhn in an' git a good rest. Ef we slide out it won't be all a pleasure trip. I reckon Plimsoll means business. An' he's sure got the county machinery behind him right now." "I can take Grit?" "W'udn't want to leave us somethin' to remember you by?" asked Sandy. "Somethin' to help make sure you'll come back?" "I'd allus come back, to visit Dad," she said. "But Grit...? I don't want to leave Grit." "It 'ud be a hard trip fo' him this way, Molly. I ain't sure about the regulations at them schools. I reckon the best way w'ud be fo' you to make arrangements fo' him to come on afteh you git there." Molly regarded Sandy soberly, her fingers twining through the dog's mane. "You'd be good to him--same as you air to me? Oh, I'm jest plumb mean to ask you that. I know you w'ud. He's goin' to be jest as lonesome as me for a bit, ain't you, Grit? He allus slep' with me, cuddlin' up, an'----" She gulped, straightened. "Good night," she said. "Come, Grit." The three men sat silent for a moment or two after she left. "She's sure a stem-winder," said Mormon presently. "How you goin' to fix to git her away, Sandy? Plimsoll'll be hotter'n a bug on a hot griddle." "I got a plan warmin' up," said Sandy. "Nearest to the county line is west through the Cabezas Range. Only two gaps, Paso Cabras, an' the Bolsa." "But the Bolsa...." started Sam. Sandy checked him. "I know. Listen! I aim to git to the railroad an' then me an' Molly'll make for New Mexico." "Huh!"