Chapter 16
THUNDER RIVERFOR an instant Hare's brain reeled, and Mescal's broken
murmurings were meaningless Then his faculties grew steady and
acute; he held the girl as if he intended never to let her go.
Mescal clung to him with a wildness that gave him anxiety for her
reason; there was something almost fierce in the tension of her
arms, in the blind groping for his face.
"Mescal! It's Jack, safe and well," he said. "Let me look at
you."
At the sound of his voice all her rigid strength changed to a
yielding weakness; she leaned back supported by his arms and looked
at him. Hare trembled before the dusky level glance he remembered
so well, and as tears began to flow he drew her head to his
shoulder. He had forgotten to prepare himself for a different
Mescal. Despite the quiv
