toward the ranch with the men. "You go
ahead. I'm all in and will follow slowly," she said.

"Not with that Indian around in the desert," exclaimed Ernest. "Gustav,
you come along with Elsa and Roger and I'll run for it."

They could hear Dick's roars as they neared the adobe. When they burst
breathlessly into the living room, Charley was standing by the door
holding in place a chair which hung on the knob and against the door
jamb made an effective bolt.

"Is he armed?" asked Roger.

"No," replied Charley. "There's the only gun in the house," pointing to
the one on the table. "And Qui-tha had his with him as he ran out of the
house."

Roger turned to Ernest. "We could just leave him in there alone to wake
up, if there wasn't danger of his bleeding to death. Come on, Ern.
Remember he's as strong as a bear and be ready to jump him with me. Get
some clean rags and water, Charley, and bring them in when we call. And
keep Gustav out. He'll faint."

They slid quickly into Dick's room, closing the door behind them. Dick
lay on the bed, blood oozing through his pants leg below the knee. He
seemed too sick to move, but Roger would take no chances.

"Ern, you hold his hands above his head while I cut off that pants leg."

The precautions were unnecessary. Dick lay muttering and limp while
Roger uncovered a nasty wound that had plowed to the bone down Dick's
skin.

"Qui-tha must have been at close quarters when that happened," said
Ernest. "You'll need help, Roger. Hand me that towel and I'll tie his
hands."

Roger handed Ernest the towel, then went out for the rags and water.
Gustav and Elsa had arrived. He had hardly answered them that Dick's
wound was not very serious when there was a sudden uproar. Dick had gone
amuck again and even the girls had to be called into service to help
with the bandaging while the men held him quiet.

By the time the blood flow was staunched and the rude bandaging
finished, Dick had subsided into a drunken stupor, from which, in spite
of his evident pain, there seemed little danger of his rousing for some
hours. Leaving Gustav to watch, the others withdrew to the living room.

"What have you done with Felicia?" asked Roger.

"She's slept through it all, thank heaven," replied Charley. "I ran into
her room as soon as Qui-tha had clattered away and she was sound asleep.
So I just locked the door. I'll go in now and attend to her."

She picked up a candle and tiptoed into the bedroom