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Page 75

| caused a crawling sensation at the back of her neck, quickening her heartbeat with fear. |

| But before she could voice her opinion, the men rushed all around, picking up equipment and tents, quickly loading them in the dray. The two bullocks were attached to the dray and the driver climbed aboard, eyeing the river nervously as he slapped a whip across the young bulls' backs. |

| "Climb aboard the dray," Ashton said, taking Sasha's arm and guiding her to it. "You'll be safer there." |

| "But what about my horse?" Sasha queried, looking over at Cloud, who was pawing nervously at the soaked ground. |

| "I'll see that Cloud gets over okay," Ashton said, taking Sasha by the waist and lifting her up to the seat. "Michael here will take care of you, won't you, Michael?" |

| The young driver looked at Ashton with a nervous smile. "I can't guarantee anything, Ashton," he said. "I can't even get the damn animals to budge. They sense the dangers of the river. I doubt if I'll ever get them across." |

| Flipping her long, unbraided hair back from her shoulders, Sasha stared at the river. "Ashton, they would probably drown if you force them to cross," she said, knowing for sure that she did not wish to enter the crazed water. She looked slowly over at Ashton, her thick lashes fluttering anxiously. "Ashton, perhaps it would be best if we camped here another night and crossed the river tomorrow." |

| "I have made my mind up and that is the way it shall be," Ashton said, his jaw tight. He grabbed the |

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