driven to hunt
up Jeff Aiken, now he was called to find this unknown ranger captain.
In Duane's state of mind clear reasoning, common sense, or keenness were
out of the question. He went because he felt he was compelled.

Dusk had fallen when he rode into a town which inquiry discovered to be
Fairfield. Captain MacNelly's camp was stationed just out of the village
limits on the other side.

No one except the boy Duane questioned appeared to notice his arrival.
Like Shirley, the town of Fairfield was large and prosperous, compared
to the innumerable hamlets dotting the vast extent of southwestern
Texas. As Duane rode through, being careful to get off the main street,
he heard the tolling of a church-bell that was a melancholy reminder of
his old home.

There did not appear to be any camp on the outskirts of the town. But as
Duane sat his horse, peering around and undecided what further move to
make, he caught the glint of flickering lights through the darkness.
Heading toward them, he rode perhaps a quarter of a mile to come upon a
grove of mesquite. The brightness of several fires made the surrounding
darkness all the blacker. Duane saw the moving forms of men and heard
horses. He advanced naturally, expecting any moment to be halted.

"Who goes there?" came the sharp call out of the gloom.

Duane pulled his horse. The gloom was impenetrable.

"One man--alone," replied Duane.

"A stranger?"

"Yes."

"What do you want?"

"I'm trying to find the ranger camp."

"You've struck it. What's your errand?"

"I want to see Captain MacNelly."

"Get down and advance. Slow. Don't move your hands. It's dark, but I can
see."

Duane dismounted, and, leading his horse, slowly advanced a few paces.
He saw a dully bright object--a gun--before he discovered the man who
held it. A few more steps showed a dark figure blocking the trail. Here
Duane halted.

"Come closer, stranger. Let's have a look at you," the guard ordered,
curtly.

Duane advanced again until he stood before the man. Here the rays of
light from the fires flickered upon Duane's face.

"Reckon you're a stranger, all right. What's your name and your business
with the Captain?"

Duane hesitated, pondering what best to say.

"Tell Captain MacNelly I'm the man he's been asking to ride into his
camp--after dark," finally said Duane.

The ranger bent forward to peer hard at this night visitor. His manner
had been alert, and now it became tense.

"Come