There's a trail up here
that goes over the ridge and down through a wind gap to a settlement
about five miles south of Lamar. If I'm guessing right, we can cut around
and get ahead of them and drive them back here to my land."
"To the Port of Missing Men! It was made for the business," said
Claiborne.
"Oscar, patrol the road here, and keep an eye on the bungalow, and if you
hear us forcing them down, charge from this side. I'll fire twice when I
get near the Port to warn you; and if you strike them first, give the
same signal. Do be careful, Sergeant, how you shoot. We want prisoners,
you understand, not corpses."
Armitage found a faint trail, and with Claiborne struck off into the
forest near the main gate of his own grounds. In less than an hour they
rode out upon a low-wooded ridge and drew up their panting, sweating
horses--two shadowy videttes against the lustral dome of stars. A keen
wind whistled across the ridge and the horses pawed the unstable ground
restlessly. The men jumped down to tighten their saddle-girths, and they
turned up their coat collars before mounting again.
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