Chapter 78

           Withanoath,asullenlook,andabrowblackasdisappointmentcouldmakeit,Calhounturnedawayfromtheedgeofthechalkprairie,wherehehadlostthetracesoftheHeadlessHorseman.

           "Nousefollowingfurther!Noknowingwherehe’sgonenow!Nohopeoffindinghimexceptbyafluke!IfIgobacktothecreekImightseehimagain;butunlessIgetwithinrange,it’llendasit’sdonebefore.Themustangstallionwon’tletmecomenearhim—asifthebruteknowswhatI’mwanting!

           "He’sevencunningerthanthewildsort—trainedtoit,Isuppose,bythemustangerhimself.Onefairshot—ifIcouldonlygetthat,I’dsettlehiscourses.

           "Thereappearsnochanceofstealinguponhim;andastoridinghimdown,itcan’tbedonewithaslowmulelikethis.

           "Thesorrel’snotmuchbetterastospeed,thoughhebeatsthisbruteinbottom.I’lltryhimto-morrow,withthenewshoe.

           "IfIcouldonlygetholdofsomethingthat’sfastenoughtoovertakethemustang!I’dputdownhandsomelyforahorsethatcoulddoit.

           "Theremustbeoneofthesortinthesettlement.I’llseewhenIgetback.Iftherebe,acoupleofhundred,ayorthree,won’thindermefromhavinghim."

           AfterhehadmadethesemutteringsCalhounrodeawayfromthechalkprairie,hisdarkcountenancestrangelycontrastingwithitssnowysheen.