as one of
them. The wild cowpuncher had saddled his mare for him, and the
friendliness of the act pleased him.

"Yes, go in and see him," he said. "The place hasn't been cleaned up
yet, but perhaps you won't mind that. You will come like an angel of
comfort to poor Joe. Poor old fellow! He thinks only of you. You are
his one care in life. It will be like a ray of sunshine in his clouded
life to be waited on by you. I need hardly give you the caution,
but--don't stay long."

Diane nodded, and Tresler stepped aside. The girl's hand was on the
door-latch; she hesitated a moment and finally faced about.

"Fyles is here now," she said significantly. "The raiders; do you
think you ought----"

"I am going to see him."

"Yes." The girl nodded. She would have said more, but her companion
cut her short.

"I must go," he said. Then he pointed over at the mare. "You see?" he
added. "She is in view of Jake's window."

The next moment they had parted.

The Lady Jezebel was very fretful when Tresler mounted her. She
treated him to a mild display of bad temper, and then danced
boisterously off down the trail, and her progress was as much made on
her hind legs as on all fours. Once round the bend her rider tried to
bring her to a halt, but no persuasion could reduce her to the
necessary docility. She fretted on until, exasperated, the man jabbed
her sharply with the spurs. Then the mischief started. Her head went
down and her back humped, and she settled to a battle royal.

It was in the midst of this that another horseman rounded the bend and
rode leisurely on to the field of battle. He drew up and watched the
conflict with interest, his own great raw-boned bay taking quite as
enthusiastic an interest in what was going forward as its rider.

The mare fought like a demon; but Tresler had learned too much for
her, and sat on his saddle as though glued to it; and the newcomer's
interest became blended with admiration for the exhibition of
horsemanship he was witnessing. As suddenly as she had begun the lady
desisted. It was in a pause for breath that she raised her infuriated
head and espied the intruder. Doubtless, realizing the futility of her
efforts, and at the same time not wishing one of the opposite sex to
witness her defeat, she preferred to disguise her anger and gave the
impression of a quiet, frivolous gambol, for she whinnied softly and
stared, with ears pricked and head erect, in a haughty look of inquiry
at th