d close up to him, he recoiled from her in terror as
though from a panther about to spring. Don Felipe had never stood so
near to death before. She halted and raised her right hand as if to
strike him across the face, then paused and lowered it.

"Don Felipe Ramirez," she hissed in an almost inaudible voice, "if you
so much as harm a hair of his head, I'll tear you limb from limb!"

"Bah!" he replied, recovering his equilibrium. "Do you think I fear a
woman?"

"Don Felipe," she began slowly, controlling with effort the violent
emotions that swept over her, "it is no idle boast if I remind you that
no one in Chihuahua shoots better than I do."

"Ha!" he laughed, snapping his fingers. "You think to kill me?"

"And if I did," she replied slowly, her voice vibrant with passion, "you
would not be the first man I have killed, Don Felipe Ramirez. And what's
more, if it comes to a question of you or him, I'll kill you as I would
a snake or sage-rabbit." He started. He began to see her in a new light.
With her subtle wit, her grace and alluring beauty, she was far more
dangerous than a man; but he was not intimidated. Craven though his soul
might be, he could not be accused of cowardice in the face of danger.
Besides, what had he to live for? Better be dead than forced to live
without her.

"Hearken, Don Felipe Ramirez," she continued calmly, her eyes riveted on
his face. "I have ridden many times in battle by the side of my father
before his death. The last time came very near being my end; it was when
the Government sent troops against my people, and we were surrounded in
the hills. That day my horse was killed under me twice. All day long we
fought and charged the enemy's lines, but to no avail--we could not
break them. The young officer in command of the Government's troops not
only outgeneraled all our maneuvers, but his life seemed charmed, for,
fire at him as often as we liked, we could not hit him. Finally
realizing that there was no hope of escape so long as he remained in
command, I rode forth alone between the lines and challenged him to
single combat. He accepted the challenge, but when he drew near and saw
that I was a woman, he refused to fight, for he was gallant as he was
brave. But I was too quick for him; I forced him to fight. His bullet
went through my shoulder, mine through his heart." She paused for an
instant, then resumed. "So, just as we that day passed over that brave
young officer's body, so shal