the saddle. But the main reason was the guide we had
engaged. Tish heard him using profane language to one of the horses and
dismissed him on the spot.

The man who was providing our horses and outfit, however, understood,
and in a short time returned with another man.

"I've got a good one for you now, Miss Carberry," he said. "Safe and
perfectly gentle, and as mild as milk. Only has one fault, and maybe you
won't mind that. He smokes considerably."

"I don't object, as long as it's in the open air," Tish said.

So that was arranged. But I must say that the new man did not look mild.
He had red hair, although a nice smile with a gold tooth, and his
trousers were of white fur, which looked hot for summer.

"You are sure that you don't use strong language?" Tish asked.

"No, ma'am," he said. "I was raised strict, and very particular as to
swearing. Dear, dear now, would you look at that cinch! Blow up their
little tummies, they do, when they're cinched, and when they breathe it
out, the saddle's as loose as the tongues of some of these here
tourists."

Tish swung herself up without any trouble, but owing to a large canvas
bag on the back of my saddle I was unable to get my leg across, and
was compelled to have it worked over, a little at a time. At last,
however, we were ready. A white pack-horse, carrying our tents and
cooking-utensils, was led by Bill, which proved to be the name of our
cowboy guide.

Mr. Bell came to say good-bye and to wish us luck. But he looked
unhappy, and there was no sign whatever of the young lady, whose name we
had learned was Helen.

"I may see you on the trail," he said sadly. "I'm about sick of this
place, and I'm thinking of clearing out."

Aggie reminded him that faint heart never won fair lady, but he only
shook his head.

"I'm not so sure that I want to win," he said. "Marriage is a serious
business, and I don't know that I'd care to have a wife that followed a
camera like a street kid follows a brass band. It wouldn't make for a
quiet home."

We left him staring wistfully into the distance.

Tish sat in her saddle and surveyed the mountain peaks that rose behind
the hotel.

"Twenty centuries are looking down upon us!" she said. "The crest of our
native land lies before us. We will conquer those beetling crags, or die
trying. All right, Bill. Forward!"

Bill led off, followed by the pack-horse, then Tish, Aggie and myself.
We kept on in this order for some time, whic