at down by the
camp fire and talked it over, as quietly and rationally as the racial
tendencies of the various members of the party would permit. The result
was as follows.

It was decided that, while it was out of the question that the entire
party could succeed in reaching the spot for which they were making, it
was still possible that two men, taking with them the best of the
animals, might be able to do so. But who those two men should be was
rather more difficult to determine. It was certain that Moreas must go,
since he was the only man who was acquainted with the secret, and he was
scarcely likely to impart it to anyone else. On his side, however, he
flatly declined even to think of taking either of the two Spaniards with
him. They might fume and curse as much as they pleased, he said, but
their bluster would not alter his decision. The man who went with him
must be either Bertram or Max. For his own part he professed not to care
very much which of them it was.

A solemn silence descended upon the group.

"Perhaps we had better draw lots for it," began Bertram. "I may say
that, if I am chosen, I am perfectly willing to go; if it falls upon
you, Mortimer, I have no doubt you will not raise any objection. What do
you say?"

"Let us draw lots for it by all means," Max answered. "But how shall we
decide?"

One of the Spaniards, true son of a gambling race, immediately produced
a dice box, which he still carried with him, long after he had parted
with other apparently more valuable possessions. By the flickering light
of the camp fire, the two men threw, to decide which should have the
honour of courting what, each must have felt in his own heart, was
almost certain death. As a result Max was declared to be the winner.

"It is settled then," said Moreas, with what Max could not help feeling
was a note of satisfaction in his voice. "You are perfectly satisfied?
Well, to-morrow, Senor Mortimer, if you are prepared, we will push on
together, and see what fate has in store for us."

"I shall be quite ready," Max replied. "And, as I understand it, the
remainder of the party will retrace their steps to the fertile country
at the entrance to the Ranges, and await our coming there."

"That is how I understand it also," replied Bertram, looking steadily at
Max. "We shall give you three months' grace, and if you have not
returned by the end of that time, we shall conclude that you are dead,
and will either attempt to