og had barked alarm. He could not
distinguish these two rocky eminences from among many rising in the
background.

Presently Ladd let out into a wider lane that appeared to run straight.
The cowboy mounted his horse, and this fact convinced Gale that they
had circled back to the road. The march proceeded then once more at a
good, steady, silent walk. When Dick consulted his watch he was amazed
to see that the hour was till early. How much had happened in little
time! He now began to be aware that the night was growing colder; and,
strange to him, he felt something damp that in a country he knew he
would have recognized as dew. He had not been aware there was dew on
the desert. The wind blew stronger, the stars shone whiter, the sky
grew darker, and the moon climbed toward the zenith. The road
stretched level for miles, then crossed arroyos and ridges, wound
between mounds of broken ruined rock, found a level again, and then
began a long ascent. Dick asked Mercedes if she was cold, and she
answered that she was, speaking especially of her feet, which were
growing numb. Then she asked to be helped down to walk awhile. At
first she was cold and lame, and accepted the helping hand Dick
proffered. After a little, however, she recovered and went on without
assistance. Dick could scarcely believe his eyes, as from time to time
he stole a sidelong glance at this silent girl, who walked with lithe
and rapid stride. She was wrapped in his long coat, yet it did not
hide her slender grace. He could not see her face, which was concealed
by the black mantle.

A low-spoken word from Ladd recalled Gale to the question of
surroundings and of possible dangers. Ladd had halted a few yards
ahead. They had reached the summit of what was evidently a high ridge
which sloped with much greater steepness on the far side. It was only
after a few more forward steps, however, that Dick could see down the
slope. Then full in view flashed a bright campfire around which
clustered a group of dark figures. They were encamped in a wide
arroyo, where horses could be seen grazing in black patches of grass
between clusters of trees. A second look at the campers told Gale they
were Mexicans. At this moment Lash came forward to join Ladd, and the
two spent a long, uninterrupted moment studying the arroyo. A hoarse
laugh, faint yet distinct, floated up on the cool wind.

"Well, Laddy, what're you makin' of that outfit?" inquired Lash,
spe