me I explored every nook an' cranny between them rocks, an' one
day, lyin' out in front o' ther bunk-house, I happened to trace this
ol' trail. I got a notion to give it a trial, an' I did that same
afternoon. I got down all right, but it was no place fer a lady,
believe me, an' I reckon no white man ever made it afore."

"It had been used once?"

"There was some signs made me think so; Injuns, I reckon, an' a long
while ago."

Westcott asked: "How can we get there safely? Can you guide us?"

Moore swept his eyes over the dull range of sand, expectorated
thoughtfully, and rammed his hands deep into his trouser-pockets. He
was slow about answering, but the two men waited motionless.

"If it was me," he said finally. "I'd take it on foot. It'll be a
jaunt ov near on to three miles, unless yer want ter risk bein' seen by
them Mexes on the main trail. You couldn't go straight, but would have
ter circle out an' travel mostly behind that ridge o' sand thar to the
left. Goin' that a-way nobody's likely ter get sight o' yer on foot.
You couldn't take no hoss, though. Here'd be my plan; lead this yere
outfit o' mine an' your ponies back inter them sand dunes whar nobody
ever goes. They're tired 'nough ter stand, an' there ain't anything
fer 'em to graze on. Then we kin hoof it over ter the place I'm
tellin' yer about, an' yer kin sorter size it up fer yerselves. That's
fair, ain't it?"

They went at it with a will, glad to have something clearly defined
before them, Brennan in his slow, efficient way, but Westcott, eager
and hopeful, spurred on by his memory of the girl, whose rescue was the
sole object which had brought him there. The team was driven into the
security of the sand drifts and unhitched. The saddles were taken from
the backs of the ponies, and what grain Moore had in the wagon was
carefully apportioned among the four animals. Satisfied these would
not stray, the men looked carefully to their supply of ammunition and
set forth on their tramp.

This proved a harder journey than either Brennan or Westcott had
anticipated, for Moore led off briskly, taking a wide circle, until a
considerable ridge concealed their movements from the south. The sand
was loose, and in places they sank deeply, their feet sliding back and
retarding progress. All three were breathing heavily from the exertion
when, under protection of the ridge, they found better walking.

Even here, however, the way was treacherou