exican, recognising its
lines of relentless cruelty, the complete absence of any sense of
mercy. His piercing eyes and thin lips gave evidence enough that he
was open to any bargain if the reward should be commensurate with the
risk. The man's age, and grey hair, only served to render more
noticeable his real character--he was a human tiger, held now in
restraint, but only waiting a chance to break his chains, and sink
teeth in any victim. The very sight of him sent a shudder through her
body, even as it stiffened her purpose.

Her clear, thoughtful eyes turned inquiringly toward Cavendish, but the
survey brought with it no encouragement. The man meant well, no doubt,
and would fight valiantly on occasion; he was no coward, no
weakling--equally clear his was not the stuff from which leaders are
made. There was uncertainty in his eyes, a lack of force in his face
which told the story. Whatever was decided upon, or accomplished, must
be by her volition; she could trust him to obey, but that was all. Her
body straightened into new resolve, all her womanhood called to the
front by this emergency.

"Then we will make no attempt to leave the valley until after dark,"
she said slowly. "Even if we got away now, we would be pursued, and
overtaken, for the desert offers few chances for concealment. If we
can reach that smaller cabin unseen we ought to be safe enough there
for hours. Cateras will not bother, and with Mendez captive, his men
will not learn what has occurred. Is not this our best plan, Mr.
Cavendish?"

"And at night?"

"We must work some scheme to get horses, and depart before those others
reach here. There will be plenty of time between dark and ten o'clock.
If we leave this man securely bound, his plight will not even be
discovered until Lacy arrives. By that time, with any good fortune, we
will be beyond pursuit, lost in the desert. Do you think of anything
better?"

That he did not was evidenced by the vacant look in his eyes, and she
waited for no answer.

"Here," she said, thrusting the revolver into his hand, "take this, and
guard Mendez until I return. It will only be a moment. Don't take
your eyes off him; there must be no alarm."

She moved forward through the gloomy shadows toward the light showing
at the mouth of the cave. The rocks here were in their natural state,
exactly as left by the forces which had originally disrupted them, the
cavern's mouth much wider than the tunnel