SON OF THE WIND
he had done with this most unpleasant assistance, and might kick it behind him, and forget that he had ever had it.
But here arose the most unlooked for complication. The man refused to go. Why did Carron want to send a message to the Raders anyway, he asked, if he wasn't going back there again? He had the horse, hadn't he? Then why didn't he get out as quietly and quickly as he could?
Carron was annoyed. It was inconvenient to have his old lie come up at him just here. He replied evasively with what was a part of the truth, that if no message was sent the Raders might become anxious and despatch some one in search of him, and people coming upon him here in his present situation was certainly the last thing he wanted. It was not probable, but in this case he preferred to be on the safe side. If Ferrier was afraid of questions he could carry a written message, and he could tell Mrs. Rader that a half-breed had brought it to him at his house. This reassurance did not seem at all to touch the point of the man's fear. He would not, could not, dared not face the Raders! He was afraid to go back. He was afraid to go home. He was afraid, it appeared, of everything outside of Carron's shadow. He clung to that as if the horse-breaker were his one protector and friend.
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