o lead
even further than we could follow. Closer and closer came the pursuers. We could see them striking their steel spurs in their sinches as if they would lift their tired mules along with their heels.
Once they were almost within hail ; but a saddle slipped, and they lost at least ten minutes with a fractious mule, that for a time concluded not to be sinched again till it had taken rest.
The sugar-pines dropped their rich and delicate nuts as we rode by, from pyramid cones as long as your arm, and little foxy-looking pine squirrels with pink eyes, stopped from their work of hoarding them for winter, to look or chatter at us as we hurried breathless and wearily past.
Mount Shasta still flashed down upon us through the dark rich boughs of fir and pine, but did not thrill us now.
When the body is tired, the mind is tired too. You get surfeited with grandeur at such a time. No doubt the presence tames you somewhat, tones down the rugged points in you that would like to find expression ; that would find expression in fret ful words but for this greatness which shows you how small you are; but you are subdued rather than elevated.
Suddenly Klamat led off to the right as if for saking the main summit for a spur. This seemed a bad sign. The Prince said nothing. At any other time I dare say he would have protested.
