Cabin Gulch by Zane Grey Read Free Book Online

down into the cañons again.
    A lonely peak was visible, sunset flushing against the blue, from the point where Kells finally halted. That ended the longest ride Joan had ever made in one day. For miles and miles they had climbed anddescended and wound into the mountains. Joan had scarcely any idea of direction. She was completely turned around and lost. This spot was the wildest and most beautiful she had ever seen. A cañon headed here. It was narrow, low-walled, and luxuriant with grass and wild roses and willow and spruce and balsam. There were deer standing with long ears erect, motionless, curious, tame as cattle. There were moving streaks through the long grass, showing the course of smaller animals slipping away.
    There under a giant balsam that reached aloft to the rim wall Joan saw a little log cabin, open in front. It had not been built very long; some of the log ends still showed yellow. It did not resemble the hunters’ and prospectors’ cabins she had seen on her trips with her uncle.
    In a sweeping glance Joan had taken in these features. Kells had dismounted and approached her. She looked out frankly, but not directly at him.
    â€œI’m tired . . . almost too tired to get off,” she said.
    â€œFifty miles of rock and brush, up and down, without a kick!” he exclaimed admiringly. “You’ve got sand . . . girl!”
    â€œWhere are we?”
    â€œThis is Lost Cañon. Only a few men know of it. And they are . . . attached to me. I intend to keep you here.”
    â€œHow long?”
    She felt the intensity of his gaze.
    â€œWhy . . . as long as,” he replied slowly, “. . . till I get my ransom.”
    â€œWhat amount will you ask?”
    â€œYou’re worth a hundred thousand in gold right now. Maybe, later, I might let you go for less.”
    Joan’s keen-wrought perception registered hiscovert, scarcely veiled implication. He was studying her.
    â€œOh, poor uncle. He’ll never, never get so much.”
    â€œSure he will,” replied Kells bluntly. Then he helped her out of the saddle. She was stiff and awkward, and she let herself slide. Kells handled her gently and like a gentleman. And for Joan the first agonizing moment of her ordeal was past. Her intuition had guided her correctly. Kells might have been and probably was the most depraved of outcast men, but the presence of a girl like her, however it affected him, must also have brought up associations of a time when by family and breeding and habit he had been infinitely different. His action here, just like the ruffian Bill’s, was instinctive, beyond his control. Just this slight thing, this frail link that joined Kells to his past and better life, immeasurably inspirited Joan and outlined the difficult game she had to play.
    â€œYou’re a very gallant . . . robber,” she said.
    He appeared not to hear that or to note it. He was eyeing her up and down, and he moved closer, perhaps to estimate her height compared to his own.
    â€œI didn’t know you were so tall. You’re above my shoulder.”
    â€œYes, I’m very lanky.”
    â€œLanky! Why, you’re not that. You’ve a splendid figure . . . tall, supple, strong . . . you’re like a Nez Percé girl I knew once. You’re a beautiful thing. Didn’t you know that?”
    â€œNot particularly. My friends don’t dare flatter me. I suppose I’ll dare to stand it from you. But I didn’t expect compliments from Jack Kells of the Border Legion.”
    â€œBorder Legion? Where’d you hear that name?”
    â€œI didn’t hear it. I made it up . . . thought of it myself.”
    â€œWell, you’ve invented something I’ll use. And what’s your name . . . your first name? I heard Roberts use it?”
    Joan felt a cold contraction of all her internal being, but outwardly she never so much as flicked an eyelash. “My name’s