1) take the blame
Definition:
to accept that you are responsible for something bad that happened.
2) make for
Definition:
to move in a particular direction or go toward a place.
3) catch up
Definition:
to reach the same level as someone else or to get up to date.
4) think something through
Definition:
to consider something carefully before making a decision.
5) figure something out
Definition:
to understand or find the answer to something.
6) push oneself
Definition:
to make yourself work harder or go beyond your limits.
If the guilty men were not found, I reckoned I would probably end up taking the blame. I had to clear my name, and the only way was to escape.
I touched the rope at my belt and tried to stay calm. Outside, there was total darkness. A dog barked, and other dogs barked back.
'Can I do this?' I whispered to myself.
Something inside me said I had to try now, or I would never get another chance.
The sheriff moved a little as I slowly pushed the rope under his neck. I waited, then tried again. At that moment, he turned over and lay right on the rope, as if he had helped me. I froze for a few seconds, then carefully made a knot and tied the rope to the bed.
I was ready.
I acted quickly. With one arm, I pulled the rope tight, and with the other, I grabbed the sheriff’s arm. He woke up at once, but he couldn’t shout or move. The more he struggled, the tighter the rope became.
'Don’t move,' I whispered, 'or your life ends here and now.'
'In my belt,' he said weakly.
I tied him up. I put a cloth in his mouth so he couldn’t shout.
The other men were still asleep. I quietly took my rifle and a gun, then headed towards the window. I opened it slowly and climbed out.
I landed in dry grass, and made for the horses. Suddenly, I almost crashed into someone.
'Don’t shoot,' said a soft voice. 'I knew you’d come. I’ve been waiting. I have a fast horse ready. If you can ride him, no one will catch you.'
It was the young woman. She touched my arm.
'Follow me,' she said.
We hurried to the corral. Behind us, there was noise from the house—doors slamming, people shouting, and then a gunshot.
'They’ll soon catch up if I don’t move quickly,' I said.
I reached the horse, untied it, and jumped on as it ran forward.
'I really appreciate it,' I told her as I passed, even though it didn’t feel like enough.
Shots were fired behind me. My horse ran faster and faster. We broke through a fence and raced across rough ground.
The horse was wild, but I didn’t mind. I needed speed. After many miles, I finally slowed down to let him rest.
At sunrise, I stopped in the hills. I could see far behind me. If anyone followed, I would notice.
The horse tried to kick me when I got off, but I quickly took control. Soon he was calm and eating.
Then I saw a bag on the saddle*. Inside, there was food—meat, rice, salt, and coffee.
'She really thought this through,' I said with a smile.
After eating, I looked back again. In the distance, I saw dust—men on horses.
'They’re still after me,' I said.
I quickly prepared to leave. My horse was strong, but difficult. I tied a rope to control him. When he tried to run, I pulled him down and got him ready.
Soon I was riding again.
The horse fought hard, jumping and turning. I gripped tightly.
'Come on,' I said, 'don’t give up now.'
After a while, he stopped fighting and ran smoothly. The woman had been right—this horse was fast.
Later, I saw wild horses and followed them to hide my tracks. It worked well. My horse wanted to join them, which helped me keep moving.
By evening, I was far away. I followed a stream and finally stopped to rest.
'Old boy,' I said to my horse, 'we’ve done well.'
I made a small fire, ate, and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, I continued riding. Suddenly, rocks fell down the hill, making a loud noise. Then I heard another horse nearby.
I quickly rode away. Looking back, I saw riders chasing me.
'How did they figure it out so fast?' I wondered.
They were getting closer. Bullets hit the ground near me.
'Come on,' I told my horse. 'You’re going to have to push yourself.'
At last, I was far ahead.
Later, I saw more wild horses. This gave me an idea. I removed my saddle* and let my horse run free with them.
I hid behind rocks as the men rode past.
'They didn’t see me,' I said quietly.
I walked into the hills. From above, I saw a fire—and two men.
Then I saw my stolen horse.
'Well, well, well,' I said to myself. 'That’s him.'
I moved closer, and held my gun ready.
'Put your hands up,' I said in a low voice.
One man obeyed. The other just lay still.
'He’s injured,' the first man said.
I took their weapons. So far so good. But suddenly someone behind me shouted. Before I could react, something hard hit me on the back of the neck - and everything went dark.
When I woke up, I was tied up, and my head hurt badly.
I heard the men talking nearby. It sounded as if they were preparing to leave.
I had to act. And I had to act now.
'Come here,' I called.
One man came closer. 'You want to say something, boy! Because you don’t have much time left for speaking neither doing anything else on this earth.'
I had to think of something. It was not the greatest idea, but it was the only thing that occurred to me 'I know you robbed a bank and shot a man. The sheriff* and his men are after you. Let me go and I’ll tell you where they’re waiting for you.'
'Now you’re right about that bank and the man we shot,' the man replied coolly. Thank you, but I’m not taking any risks in untying you.' He raised his gun.
But it was someone else who fired, and the man in front of me dropped to the ground like a stone. There were more shots around me, and shouts and screams as a short battle broke out. Then it went quiet.
Then I saw someone riding toward me. It was the sheriff.
'Well,' he said, 'you found your horse—and the criminals. Looks like you’re free. We’ve caught the whole gang.'
I smiled weakly.
'Not bad,' I said. 'But next time, try not to follow me so closely.'
He laughed. 'And you try not to put ropes around my neck.'
Later, I rode away on my horse.
'Buck,' I said, 'life is easier when we stay out of trouble.'
As I looked at the evening star, I thought of the girl and her smile.
'Someday,' I said, 'we’ll go back and visit.'
And I rode on towards where the sun was just beginning to set over the horizon.
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