now, when her
weakness could no longer be overcome. So copious was the flow of blood
that it was evident an artery had been severed, and already had the
loss been very great. In vain did Ridge strive to stanch the cruel
outspurt. He had no proper appliances, and the evil was too serious to
be remedied by his simple skill. Even as he made the attempt the
gallant beast swayed, staggered, and then sank with a groan to the
ground. Almost sobbing with grief and dismay, Ridge flung himself
beside her and threw an arm caressingly across her neck.

"Poor old girl! Dear old girl!" he cried. "To think that I should
have brought you here just for this. It is too bad! too bad! And what
shall I do without you?"

Then with a sudden thought he sprang to his feet and began an eager
search on both sides of the road for water, but found none.
Disappointed and heavy-hearted, he returned to Senorita. She lay as he
had left her, but motionless and with closed eyes. Again he knelt at
her side, and at the sound of his voice the loving eyes were once more
opened. At the same time, with a mighty effort, the proud head was
uplifted, as though the mare were about to struggle to her feet. Just
then came a shot from behind them, and, with a bullet intended for her
young master buried deep in her brain, the dear horse yielded up her
life.

The shot was so instantly followed by a clatter of hoofs, that Ridge
had barely time to snatch his rifle and fling himself to the ground
behind Senorita's body before the beef-riders appeared charging up the
road, yelling and firing, as they came.

With his rifle resting across the mare's side, Ridge took quick aim and
fired. One of the advancing horsemen threw up his arms and fell over
backward, but the young American did not see him; for, without waiting
to note the effect of his shot, he dropped the rifle and seized his
revolver. It was a self-cocking weapon, and as rapidly as he could
pull the trigger he delivered the contents of all six chambers at the
guerillas. Whether or not they fired in return he did not know, but as
the smoke from his own fusillade cleared away he saw one man lying
motionless in the road, and another dragging himself into the grass at
one side. From that direction also came the furious plunging of a
horse. Of the others who had pursued him nothing was to be seen.
Hastily reloading his revolver, and throwing another cartridge into the
chamber of his rifle, Ridge ne