ding across the line where's
the obstacle to this one?"

The old prospector was busy with the wounded head for the Indian and
had no reply ready, but shook his head ominously. Rhodes scowled and
began uncoiling a _reata_ in case it would be needed to tie Miguel in
the saddle.

"We've got to get some hustle to this outfit," he observed glancing at
the sun. "It's too far to take them back to Whitely's, and water has
to be had. We are really nearer to Soledad!"

The Indian girl came closer to him, speaking in a low, level manner,
strange and secretive, yet not a whisper.

"He does know--and water is there at that place," she said. "In the
night I am hearing him speak all what the ancients hide. He no can
walk to that place, maybe I no can walk, but go you for the gold in
the hidden canon. You are Americano,--strong,--is it not? A brave
heart and much of gold of rose would bring safe again the mother of me
and my sister! All this I listen to in the night. For them the gold of
rose by the hidden water is to be uncovered again. But see, his hands
are weak, his head is like the _nino_ in the reed basket. A stronger
heart must find the way--it is you."

Lowly, haltingly, she kept on that level-voiced decision. It was
evident that the ravings of her father through the long hours of the
dreadful night had filled her mind with his one desire: to dare the
very gods that the red gold might be uncovered again, and purchase
freedom for the Indians on the exile road to the coast.

So low were her words that even Cap Pike, a rod away, only heard the
voice, but not the subject. It was further evident that she meant but
the one man to hear. Pike had white hair and to her mind was, like her
father, to be protected from responsibilities, but Rhodes loomed
strong and kind, and braced by youth for any task.

Rhodes looked at her pityingly, and patted her head.

"I reckon we're all a little loco, kid," he observed. "You're so
paralyzed with the hell you saw, and his ravings that you think his
dope of the gold is all gospel, but it's only a dream, sister,--a sick
man's fancy, though you sure had me going for a minute, plum
hypnotized by the picture."

"It is to hide always," she said. "No man must know. No other eyes
must see, only you!"

"Sure," he agreed.

"You promising all?"

"Sure again! Just to comfort you I promise that when I find the gold
of El Alisal I will use it to help get your people."

"Half," she decided. "Half