ks, if he wanted to get them finished
before the hot months. He made a trip to the Sonoyta Oasis. He
satisfied himself that matters along the line were favorable, and that
there was absolutely no trace of his rangers. Upon completing this trip
he went to Casita with a number of his white thoroughbreds and shipped
them to ranchers and horse-breeders in Texas. Then, being near the
railroad, and having time, he went up to Tucson. There he learned some
interesting particulars about the Chases. They had an office in the
city; influential friends in the Capitol. They were powerful men in
the rapidly growing finance of the West. They had interested the
Southern Pacific Railroad, and in the near future a branch line was to
be constructed from San Felipe to Forlorn River. These details of the
Chase development were insignificant when compared to a matter striking
close home to Belding. His responsibility had been subtly attacked. A
doubt had been cast upon his capability of executing the duties of
immigration inspector to the best advantage of the state. Belding
divined that this was only an entering wedge. The Chases were bent
upon driving him out of Forlorn River; but perhaps to serve better
their own ends, they were proceeding at leisure. Belding returned home
consumed by rage. But he controlled it. For the first time in his
life he was afraid of himself. He had his wife and Nell to think of;
and the old law of the West had gone forever.

"Dad, there's another Rojas round these diggings," was Nell's remark,
after the greetings were over and the usual questions and answers
passed.

Belding's exclamation was cut short by Nell's laugh. She was serious
with a kind of amused contempt.

"Mr. Radford Chase!"

"Now Nell, what the--" roared Belding.

"Hush, Dad! Don't swear," interrupted Nell. "I only meant to tease
you."

"Humph! Say, my girl, that name Chase makes me see red. If you must
tease me hit on some other way. Sabe, senorita?"

"Si, si, Dad."

"Nell, you may as well tell him and have it over," said Mrs. Belding,
quietly.

"You promised me once, Dad, that you'd not go packing a gun off down
there, didn't you?"

"Yes, I remember," replied Belding; but he did not answer her smile.

"Will you promise again?" she asked, lightly. Here was Nell with arch
eyes, yet not the old arch eyes, so full of fun and mischief. Her lips
were tremulous; her cheeks seemed less round.

"Yes," rejoined Beldin