Page:Laughing Boy-1929.djvu/289

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LAavucHING Boy 277 A SS SSS SUV VV VINO OOS it is no time for gestures of valour or revenge. They rode thus for about a mile, and then, still seeing no one behind them, drew rein. Here the canon was wide, and on one side a cleft led into Chizbitsé Mesa, up a slow incline. In there he turned, until at the end of the box cafion sheer cliffs stopped them. Slim Girl was silent and quite limp as he low- ered her from her saddle and placed her on a couch of blankets. Once at ease there, she moaned and asked for water. Her eyes were narrowed and her lips drawn slightly back. He made a fire and melted snow, she drank eagerly. The bullet had gone clean through her; she was soaked with blood. He did what he could to staunch the flow, and arranged her ascomfortably- as possible. Occasionally she moaned, then said quite clearly: ‘No. I will be brave. Give me a cigarette, and raise my head a little.’ She had scarcely strength to smoke, and she began to cough. ‘This is the end, my husband, mv beloved. Her voice was faint, and she paused after every few words. ‘Do not try to avenge me. Promise me that.’ ‘I promise.” He knelt facing her. unmoving, with lines in his face like carving.

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