testified that Jim Kendric found this new arrangement of
mundane affairs highly to his liking.

"We'll drive these other ponies on ahead of us," he suggested. "Until
they're a good five miles off. And then we'll see how fast a cowpony
can run!"

So, herding a lot of saddled horses ahead of them, reins flying and
soon putting panic into the animals, Jim and Betty rode down into the
valley. They looked down to the big adobe house and saw no one; the
place slept tranquilly in the late afternoon sun. They passed the
corrals and still saw no one. If any of her men had not followed
Zoraida, they were lounging under cover. The maids would be about the
evening meal and table setting, in the _patio_ or in the house.

Straight across the valley they drove the ponies and there, in the
first foothills scattered and left them. Then they settled down to
hard riding, both praying mutely that when they came to the gulf and
the beach they would find the _Half Moon_ awaiting them.

The stars were out when they came to the beach where only a few days
ago Kendric and Barlow had landed. And there, at anchor, rode the
_Half Moon_. They saw her lights and they made out the hulk of her.
Kendric shouted and fired his rifle. Almost immediately came an
answering hail, the melodious voice of Nigger Ben. They saw a lantern
go down over the side, they watched it bob and dance and made out
presently that it was coming toward them. They heard Nigger Ben's
voice, chanting monotonously, as he pulled at the oars of the small
boat.

"Howdy, Cap'n, howdy!" cried Ben joyously. He took in the small figure
which had dismounted at Kendric's side and ducked his head and included
her in his greetings with a "Howdy, Miss." And then, looking in vain
for another member of the party: "Where's Cap'n Barlow?"

"Let's get on board, Ben," answered Kendric. "I'll tell you there."

So they stepped into the dingey and pushed off and rowed back to the
_Half Moon_.

"There's a gent here says he's a frien' of your'n, Cap," said Ben. "Ah
dunno. Anyhows, he's been here all day an' we're watchin' he don't
make no mischief."

They went up over the side and Kendric showed Betty straightway to the
cabin that was to be hers. Then he turned wonderingly to Ben. He
could only think of Bruce, since it wasn't Barlow----

And Bruce it was. The boy came forth from the shadows, standing before
Kendric looking at once dejected and defiant and shamefaced.