s when I get blue--as I am to-day--I think I'll go. But,
in sober truth, Nell, it's not likely that I'll spend all my life here."

There was no answer to this. Dick put his hand softly over hers; and,
despite her half-hearted struggle to free it, he held on.

"Nell!"

Her color fled. He saw her lips part. Then a heavy step on the
gravel, a cheerful, complaining voice interrupted him, and made him
release Nell and draw back. Belding strode into view round the adobe
shed.

"Hey, Dick, that darned Yaqui Indian can't be driven or hired or coaxed
to leave Forlorn River. He's well enough to travel. I offered him
horse, gun, blanket, grub. But no go."

"That's funny," replied Gale, with a smile. "Let him stay--put him to
work."

"It doesn't strike me funny. But I'll tell you what I think. That
poor, homeless, heartbroken Indian has taken a liking to you, Dick.
These desert Yaquis are strange folk. I've heard strange stories about
them. I'd believe 'most anything. And that's how I figure his case.
You saved his life. That sort of thing counts big with any Indian,
even with an Apache. With a Yaqui maybe it's of deep significance.
I've heard a Yaqui say that with his tribe no debt to friend or foe
ever went unpaid. Perhaps that's what ails this fellow."

"Dick, don't laugh," said Nell. "I've noticed the Yaqui. It's
pathetic the way his great gloomy eyes follow you."

"You've made a friend," continued Belding. "A Yaqui could be a real
friend on this desert. If he gets his strength back he'll be of
service to you, don't mistake me. He's welcome here. But you're
responsible for him, and you'll have trouble keeping him from
massacring all the Greasers in Forlorn River."

The probability of a visit from the raiders, and a dash bolder than
usual on the outskirts of a ranch, led Belding to build a new corral.
It was not sightly to the eye, but it was high and exceedingly strong.
The gate was a massive affair, swinging on huge hinges and fastening
with heavy chains and padlocks. On the outside it had been completely
covered with barb wire, which would make it a troublesome thing to work
on in the dark.

At night Belding locked his white horses in this corral. The Papago
herdsman slept in the adobe shed adjoining. Belding did not imagine
that any wooden fence, however substantially built, could keep
determined raiders from breaking it down. They would have to take
time, however, and make considerab