"Zane Grey - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

also recovering himself.

Now Betty's favorite ride happened to be along this road. It lay along the top
of the bluff a mile or more and afforded a fine unobstructed view of the
river. Betty had either not heard of the Captain's order, that no one was to
leave the fort, or she had disregarded it altogether; probably the latter, as
she generally did what suited her fancy.

"Release my pony's head!" she cried, her face flushing, as she gave a jerk to
the reins. "How dare you? What right have you to detain me?"

The expression Betty saw on Clarke's face was not new to her, for she
remembered having seen it on the faces of young gentlemen whom she had met at
her aunt's house in Philadelphia. It was the slight, provoking smile of the
man familiar with the various moods of young women, the expression of an
amused contempt for their imperiousness. But it was not that which angered
Betty. It was the coolness with which he still held her pony regardless of her
commands.

"Pray do not get excited," he said. "I am sorry I cannot allow such a pretty
little girl to have her own way. I shall hold your pony until you say you will
go back to the fort."

"Sir!" exclaimed Betty, blushing a bright-red. "You--you are impertinent!"

"Not at all," answered Alfred, with a pleasant laugh. "I am sure I do not
intend to be. Captain Boggs did not acquaint me with full particulars or I
might have declined my present occupation: not, however, that it is not
agreeable just at this moment. He should have mentioned the danger of my being
run down by Indian ponies and imperious young ladies."

"Will you let go of that bridle, or shall I get off and walk back for
assistance?" said Betty, getting angrier every moment.

"Go back to the fort at once," ordered Alfred, authoritatively. "Captain
Boggs' orders are that no one shall be allowed to leave the clearing."

"Oh! Why did you not say so? I thought you were Simon Girty, or a highwayman.
Was it necessary to keep me here all this time to explain that you were on
duty?"

"You know sometimes it is difficult to explain," said Alfred, "besides, the
situation had its charm. No, I am not a robber, and I don't believe you
thought so. I have only thwarted a young lady's whim, which I am aware is a
great crime. I am very sorry. Goodbye."

Betty gave him a withering glance from her black eyes, wheeled her pony and
galloped away. A mellow laugh was borne to her ears before she got out of
hearing, and again the red blood mantled her cheeks.