to travel. The lightening of the sky
for the coming dawn found them still in the saddle with the jagged
mountain line rising vaguely before them in the darkness like a long
shadow. Presently they could make out the gash in the range that was
Sieber's Pass.

"Some of the boys will be waiting there for us, I reckon," Steve said.
"They'll be glad to see you safe."

"If I'm safe, they'll know who brought it about." Her voice trembled as
she hurried on: "I can't thank you. All I can say is that I understand
from what you saved me."

He looked away at the distant hills. "That's all right. I had the good
luck to be in the right place. Any of the boys would have been glad of
the chance."

After a time they saw smoke rising from a hollow in the hills. They were
climbing steadily now by way of a gulch trail. This opened into a draw.
A little back from the stream a man was bending over a camp-fire. He
turned his head to call to a second man and caught sight of them. It was
Orman. He let out a whoop of gladness when he recognized Ruth. Others
came running from a little clump of timber.

Phil lifted his sister from the saddle and kissed her. He said nothing,
since he could not speak without breaking down.

Jackson looked at Steve in amazement. "You been wrastling with a
circular saw?" he asked.

It hurt Yeager's broken face to smile, but he attempted it. "Had a
little difference of opinion with Chad. We kind o' talked things over."

Nobody asked anything further. It is the way of outdoor Arizona to take
a good deal for granted. This man was torn and tattered and bruised. His
face was cut open in a dozen places. Purple weals and discolorations
showed how badly his body had been punished. He looked a fit subject for
a hospital. But every one who looked into his quiet, unconquered eyes
knew that he had come off victor.

"First off, a bath in the creek to get rid of these souvenirs Chad sent
to my address. Then it's me for the hay," he announced.

Ruth watched him go, lean, sinewy, and wide-shouldered. His stride was
once more light and strong, for with the passing hours power had flowed
back into his veins. She sighed. He was a man that would go the limit
for his friends. He was gentle, kindly, full of genial and cheerful
courage. But she knew now there was another side to him, a quality that
was tigerish, that snarled like a wolf in battle. Why was it that men
must be so?

Old Dan chuckled. "Ain't he the lad? Stove up t