Chapter 7

The hands had spent a long day in the saddle driving the cattle on the first leg of their journey and they eagerly devoured the beans and hot coffee the cook had prepared.

"At least we've made a start," said Belden. "I hate the waiting before a cattle drive. It's the thinking about the long days and the dust and the heat that puts you off. Once it begins, you just get on with it."

Stacey was pushing his beans around the plate and didn't reply, his mind elsewhere.

"What's up, Stace?" asked Trampas. "You've hardly said two words since we made camp."

Stacey looked up from his plate. "Sorry. I've been thinking about Liz. I hope she's all right. I don't like leaving her when she's not feeling well."

"Well, she's got Mrs Hardwicke to look after her," said the Virginian.

"I don't know if that's such a good thing," said Belden.

"What do you mean?" asked Stacey.

"There's just something about that woman that bothers me."

"What?" asked Stacey, anxiety starting to enter his voice. "What is it?"

"It's not anything I could put a finger on, but, well, it was something that I saw – or thought I saw – at the station when she arrived."

Stacey stared at Belden, a sense of foreboding growing within him. "What? Tell me."

"Well, it was just something about the way she looked at Liz. I thought I caught her glaring at her. As if she didn't like her. I can't explain it. I only saw it for a moment and I could have been mistaken."

"Why didn't you say anything before?" demanded Stacey, pushing his plate away and standing up.

"I didn't know what to say, it seemed so strange. Anyway I forgot about it. She seemed to get on all right with everyone, particularly Liz. I thought I'd imagined it all."

"I'm going back."

"Now?" asked the Virginian.

"I've got to. I can't stay here. Liz is all alone at Shiloh with Mrs Hardwicke. Maybe that tiredness that Liz has been experiencing, maybe that's something to do with Mrs Hardwicke."

"Stacey, it's dark. You can't set out now. There's no moon tonight and you'll lose your way on the trail. Wait until first light tomorrow."

Stacey stood there frowning, knowing that the Virginian was talking sense but worrying about what a delay would mean. He shook his head decisively, "No. I can't leave it until tomorrow. I must leave now."

"I'll go with you," said Trampas. "You can spare me, can't you?" he asked, turning to the Virginian.

"Even if I couldn't, I wouldn't stop you, you know that."