he struck back through the
woods to the side of the trail, to reconnoitre. He dropped behind a
clump of mooseberry bushes where he could see without being seen.

The cavalcade was close upon him. The first to ride past was Herbert
Mabyn. His livid face was alight with triumph; and he carried a new
Winchester slung over his back. An ill-favoured breed youth followed;
his face struck a chord in Garth's memory; but so hard is it to
distinguish alien faces that for the moment he could not place him. Next
there came six packhorses, laden with food and camp outfit, and driven
by the next rider, a breed woman, whose face happened to be turned from
Garth as she passed. He had an uncomfortable sense that he knew her too.
Rina followed, turning a sad and troubled face in the direction of their
camp as she rode by.

This seemed to be all; and Garth was about to rise, when he heard still
another rider approaching. He crouched back with a sure foreboding of
who it was; hence there was little surprise in the actual sight of the
faded check suit enwrapping the burly figure, the broad-rimmed
"Stetson," and the ragged cigar ceaselessly twisted between fat lips. He
looked older, that was all; and he bore marks of illness. Nick Grylls
had found them out.

XX

SUCCOUR

Garth was thankful he was alone when it happened. The reaction after
their day of joyous hopefulness was too sudden to be borne. Crouching
behind the bush, he dropped his head in his arms. What could he hope
for, single-handed against such overwhelming odds? For a while his heart
failed him utterly, and all his faculties were scattered in clownish
confusion. He knew not which way to turn. At last one thought shone
through the murk of his brain like a star: Natalie must not be rudely
frightened. He got up; and composing his face with a great effort of
will, he hastened back to her.

But the riders having crossed the bed of the stream, and mounted the
rise, Natalie already knew as much as he. Her first thought was likewise
for him. She turned a solicitous face.

"My poor Garth!" she said. "More care and danger for you!"

The simple words acted on him like a strong tonic. His brow smoothed;
his mouth hardened; and he was mightily ashamed for his moment of
weakness.

"More fun!" he said with his dry, arrogant note of laughter. "Act four
of the drama begins!"

Natalie caught his spirit and laughed back.

"Who was the half-breed, do you suppose?" he said. "