terward. "Well, I reckon it's all right. He knows now, and
he'd sure have heard that they are going to be married, anyway."

CHAPTER XVIII

The four men stayed at Muletown that night and drove across the hot,
dry levels of the Fernandez plain in the early morning. In the
foothills of the Hermosa mountains there was a little place called
Agua Fria--Cold Water. It was a short distance off the main road, but
travelers across the plain frequently went thither to refresh
themselves and their beasts with the cool waters which it furnished.
It was only a small Mexican ranch, irrigated by a bountiful flow of
water from a never failing spring. Cottonwood trees surrounded the
house, and around the spring grew a little peach orchard. The ruins of
a mining camp, long since deserted, could be seen on the hill above.

Emerson Mead and his companions turned aside into the road leading to
the Agua Fria ranch and drew rein in the shade of the peach trees. A
woman was washing clothes beside the spring and a man came from a
near-by field where he was at work. They chatted with the couple while
the horses were allowed to rest in the shade. Presently Tuttle and
Ellhorn remounted and started slowly back, leaving Mead and Harlin in
the buggy, ready to go, but exchanging some last words with the
Mexican. The road curved below the house, through the trees, and as
Tuttle and Ellhorn came out on the other side they saw a party of
horsemen approaching from the main road. At once they recognized John
Daniels and Jim Halliday, who were riding in the front. Behind them
came half a dozen others, and in the rear of the company they saw
Colonel Whittaker with some pack horses. Tom and Nick drew back into
the cover of the trees and conferred a moment over the probable
intentions of the party.

"They are all armed," said Tom. "Six-shooters and Winchesters on every
one."

"I'll bet they're after Emerson, Tommy," Nick exclaimed. "They want
trouble, and I reckon we'd better begin to give it to 'em right now."

They drew their rifles from beside their saddles, for the men were
still too far away for the use of revolvers. Then Tom looked at Nick
doubtfully.

"Nick, what do you-all think would be Emerson's judgment? You know he
always wants the other side to begin the fight."

"My judgment is that the sooner this fight is begun the better. Them
fellows are out here lookin' for trouble, and I say, if a man wants
trouble, Lord! let him have it!"