by Zane Grey
X
ROJAS
NO word from George Thorne had come to Forlorn River in weeks. Galegrew concerned over the fact, and began to wonder if anything seriouscould have happened to him. Mercedes showed a slow, wearing strain.
Thorne's commission expired the end of January, and if he could not gethis discharge immediately, he surely could obtain leave of absence.Therefore, Gale waited, not without growing anxiety, and did his bestto cheer Mercedes. The first of February came bringing news of rebelactivities and bandit operations in and around Casita, but not a wordfrom the cavalryman.
Mercedes became silent, mournful. Her eyes were great black windows oftragedy. Nell devoted herself entirely to the unfortunate girl; Dickexerted himself to persuade her that all would yet come well; in fact,the whole household could not have been kinder to a sister or adaughter. But their united efforts were unavailing. Mercedes seemedto accept with fatalistic hopelessness a last and crowning misfortune.
A dozen times Gale declared he would ride in to Casita and find out whythey did not hear from Thorne; however, older and wiser heads prevailedover his impetuosity. Belding was not sanguine over the safety of theCasita trail. Refugees from there arrived every day in Forlorn River,and if tales they told were true, real war would have been preferableto what was going on along the border. Belding and the rangers and theYaqui held a consultation. Not only had the Indian become a faithfulservant to Gale, but he was also of value to Belding. Yaqui had allthe craft of his class, and superior intelligence. His knowledge ofMexicans was second only to his hate of them. And Yaqui, who had beenscouting on all the trails, gave information that made Belding decideto wait some days before sending any one to Casita. He requiredpromises from his rangers, particularly Gale, not to leave without hisconsent.
It was upon Gale's coming from this conference that he encounteredNell. Since the interrupted siesta episode she had been more thanordinarily elusive, and about all he had received from her was atantalizing smile from a distance. He got the impression now, however,that she had awaited him. When he drew close to her he was certain ofit, and he experienced more than surprise.
"Dick," she began, hurriedly. "Dad's not going to send any one to seeabout Thorne?"
"No, not yet. He thinks it best not to. We all think so. I'm sorry.Poor Mercedes!"
"I knew it. I tried to coax him to send Laddy or even Yaqui. Hewouldn't listen to me. Dick, Mercedes is dying by inches. Can't yousee what ails her? It's more than love or fear. It'suncertainty--suspense. Oh, can't we find out for her?"
"Nell, I feel as badly as you about her. I wanted to ride in toCasita. Belding shut me up quick, the last time."
Nell came close to Gale, clasped his arm. There was no color in herface. Her eyes held a dark, eager excitement.
"Dick, will you slip off without Dad's consent? Risk it! Go to Casitaand find out what's happened to Thorne--at least if he ever started forForlorn River?"
"No, Nell, I won't do that."
She drew away from him with passionate suddenness.
"Are you afraid?"
This certainly was not the Nell Burton that Gale knew.
"No, I'm not afraid," Gale replied, a little nettled.
"Will you go--for my sake?" Like lightning her mood changed and shewas close to him again, hands on his, her face white, her wholepresence sweetly alluring.
"Nell, I won't disobey Belding," protested Gale. "I won't break myword."
"Dick, it'll not be so bad as that. But--what if it is?... Go, Dick,if not for poor Mercedes's sake, then for mine--to please me.I'll--I'll... you won't lose anything by going. I think I know howMercedes feels. Just a word from Thorne or about him would save her.Take Blanco Sol and go, Dick. What rebel outfit could ever ride youdown on that horse? Why, Dick, if I was up on Sol I wouldn't be afraidof the whole rebel army."
"My dear girl, it's not a question of being afraid. It's my word--myduty to Belding."
"You said you loved me. If you love me you will go... You don't loveme!"
Gale could only stare at this transformed girl.
"Dick, listen!... If you go--if you fetch some word of Thorne tocomfort Mercedes, you--well, you will have your reward."
"Nell!"
Her dangerous sweetness was as amazing as this newly revealed character.
"Dick, will you go?"
"No-no!" cried Gale, in violence, struggling with himself. "NellBurton, I'll tell you this. To have the reward I want would meanpretty near heaven for me. But not even for that will I break my wordto your father."
She seemed the incarnation of girlish scorn and wilful passion.
"Gracias, senor," she replied, mockingly. "Adios." Then she flashedout of his sight.
Gale went to his room at once, disturbed and thrilling, and did notsoon recover from that encounter.
The following morning at the breakfast table Nell was not present. Mrs.Belding evidently considered the fact somewhat unusual, for she calledout into the patio and then into the yard. Then she went to Mercedes'sroom. But Nell was not there, either.
"She's in one of her tantrums lately," said Belding. "Wouldn't speakto me this morning. Let her alone, mother. She's spoiled enough,without running after her. She's always hungry. She'll be on handpresently, don't mistake me."
Notwithstanding Belding's conviction, which Gale shared, Nell did notappear at all during the hour. When Belding and the rangers wentoutside, Yaqui was eating his meal on the bench where he always sat.
"Yaqui--Lluvia d' oro, si?" asked Belding, waving his hand toward thecorrals. The Indian's beautiful name for Nell meant "shower of gold,"and Belding used it in asking Yaqui if he had seen her. He received anegative reply.
Perhaps half an hour afterward, as Gale was leaving his room, he sawthe Yaqui running up the path from the fields. It was markedly out ofthe ordinary to see the Indian run. Gale wondered what was the matter.Yaqui ran straight to Belding, who was at work at his bench under thewagon shed. In less than a moment Belding was bellowing for hisrangers. Gale got to him first, but Ladd and Lash were not far behind.
"Blanco Sol gone!" yelled Belding, in a rage.
"Gone? In broad daylight, with the Indian a-watch-in?" queried Ladd.
"It happened while Yaqui was at breakfast. That's sure. He'd justwatered Sol."
"Raiders!" exclaimed Jim Lash.
"Lord only knows. Yaqui says it wasn't raiders."
"Mebbe Sol's just walked off somewheres."
"He was haltered in the corral."
"Send Yaqui to find the hoss's trail, an' let's figger," said Ladd."Shore this 's no raider job."
In the swift search that ensued Gale did not have anything to say; buthis mind was forming a conclusion. When he found his old saddle andbridle missing from the peg in the barn his conclusion became apositive conviction, and it made him, for the moment, cold and sick andspeechless.
"Hey, Dick, don't take it so much to heart," said Belding. "We'lllikely find Sol, and if we don't, there's other good horses."
"I'm not thinking of Sol," replied Gale.
Ladd cast a sharp glance at Gale, snapped his fingers, and said:
"Damn me if I ain't guessed it, too!"
"What's wrong with you locoed gents?" bluntly demanded Belding.
"Nell has slipped away on Sol," answered Dick.
There was a blank pause, which presently Belding broke.
"Well, that's all right, if Nell's on him. I was afraid we'd lost thehorse."
"Belding, you're trackin' bad," said Ladd, wagging his head.
"Nell has started for Casita," burst out Gale. "She has gone to fetchMercedes some word about Thorne. Oh, Belding, you needn't shake yourhead. I know she's gone. She tried to persuade me to go, and wasfurious when I wouldn't."
"I don't believe it," replied Belding, hoarsely. "Nell may have hertemper. She's a little devil at times, but she always had good sense."
"Tom, you can gamble she's gone," sa
id Ladd.
"Aw, hell, no! Jim, what do you think?" implored Belding.
"I reckon Sol's white head is pointed level an' straight down theCasita trail. An' Nell can ride. We're losing' time."
That roused Belding to action.
"I say you're all wrong," he yelled, starting for the corrals. "She'sonly taking a little ride, same as she's done often. But rustle now.Find out. Dick, you ride cross the valley. Jim, you hunt up and downthe river. I'll head up San Felipe way. And you, Laddy, take Diabloand hit the Casita trail. If she really has gone after Thorne you cancatch her in an hour or so."
"Shore I'll go," replied Ladd. "But, Beldin', if you're not plumbcrazy you're close to it. That big white devil can't catch Sol. Not inan hour or a day or a week! What's more, at the end of any runnin'time, with an even start, Sol will be farther in the lead. An' nowSol's got an hour's start."
"Laddy, you mean to say Sol is a faster horse than Diablo?" thunderedBelding, his face purple.
"Shore. I mean to tell you just that there," replied the ranger.
"I'll--I'll bet a--"
"We're wastin' time," curtly interrupted Ladd. "You can gamble on thisif you want to. I'll ride your Blanco Devil as he never was ridbefore, 'cept once when a damn sight better hossman than I am couldn'tmake him outrun Sol."
Without more words the men saddled and were off, not waiting for theYaqui to come in with possible information as to what trail Blanco Solhad taken. It certainly did not show in the clear sand of the levelvalley where Gale rode to and fro. When Gale returned to the house hefound Belding and Lash awaiting him. They did not mention their ownsearch, but stated that Yaqui had found Blanco Sol's tracks in theCasita trail. After some consultation Belding decided to send Lashalong after Ladd.
The interminable time that followed contained for Gale about as muchsuspense as he could well bear. What astonished him and helped himgreatly to fight off actual distress was the endurance of Nell's mother.
Early on the morning of the second day, Gale, who had acquired anunbreakable habit of watching, saw three white horses and a bay comewearily stepping down the road. He heard Blanco Sol's familiarwhistle, and he leaped up wild with joy. The horse was riderless.Gale's sudden joy received a violent check, then resurged when he saw alimp white form in Jim Lash's arms. Ladd was supporting a horseman whowore a military uniform.
Gale shouted with joy and ran into the house to tell the good news. Itwas the ever-thoughtful Mrs. Belding who prevented him from rushing into tell Mercedes. Then he hurried out into the yard, closely followedby the Beldings.
Lash handed down a ragged, travel-stained, wan girl into Belding's arms.
"Dad! Mama!"
It was indeed a repentant Nell, but there was spirit yet in the tiredblue eyes. Then she caught sight of Gale and gave him a faint smile.
"Hello--Dick."
"Nell!" Gale reached for her hand, held it tightly, and found speechdifficult.
"You needn't worry--about your old horse," she said, as Belding carriedher toward the door. "Oh, Dick! Blanco Sol is--glorious!"
Gale turned to greet his friend. Indeed, it was but a haggard ghost ofthe cavalryman. Thorne looked ill or wounded. Gale's greeting wasalso a question full of fear.
Thorne's answer was a faint smile. He seemed ready to drop from thesaddle. Gale helped Ladd hold Thorne upon the horse until they reachedthe house. Belding came out again. His welcome was checked as he sawthe condition of the cavalryman. Thorne reeled into Dick's arms. Buthe was able to stand and walk.
"I'm not--hurt. Only weak--starved," he said. "Is Mercedes-- Take meto her."
"She'll be well the minute she sees him," averred Belding, as he andGale led the cavalryman to Mercedes's room. There they left him; andGale, at least, felt his ears ringing with the girl's broken cry of joy.
When Belding and Gale hurried forth again the rangers were tending thetired horses. Upon returning to the house Jim Lash calmly lit hispipe, and Ladd declared that, hungry as he was, he had to tell hisstory.
"Shore, Beldin'," began Ladd, "that was funny about Diablo catchin'Blanco Sol. Funny ain't the word. I nearly laughed myself to death.Well, I rode in Sol's tracks all the way to Casita. Never seen a rebelor a raider till I got to town. Figgered Nell made the trip in fivehours. I went straight to the camp of the cavalrymen, an' found themjust coolin' off an' dressin' down their hosses after what looked to melike a big ride. I got there too late for the fireworks.
"Some soldier took me to an officer's tent. Nell was there, some whitean' all in. She just said, 'Laddy!' Thorne was there, too, an' he wasbein' worked over by the camp doctor. I didn't ask no questions,because I seen quiet was needed round that tent. After satisfyingmyself that Nell was all right, an' Thorne in no danger, I went out.
"Shore there was so darn many fellers who wanted to an' tried to tellme what'd come off, I thought I'd never find out. But I got the storypiece by piece. An' here's what happened.
"Nell rode Blanco Sol a-tearin' into camp, an' had a crowd round her ina jiffy. She told who she was, where she'd come from, an' what shewanted. Well, it seemed a day or so before Nell got there thecavalrymen had heard word of Thorne. You see, Thorne had left camp onleave of absence some time before. He was shore mysterious, they said,an' told nobody where he was goin'. A week or so after he left campsome Greaser give it away that Rojas had a prisoner in a dobe shacknear his camp. Nobody paid much attention to what the Greaser said.He wanted money for mescal. An' it was usual for Rojas to haveprisoners. But in a few more days it turned out pretty sure that forsome reason Rojas was holdin' Thorne.
"Now it happened when this news came Colonel Weede was in Nogales withhis staff, an' the officer left in charge didn't know how to proceed.Rojas's camp was across the line in Mexico, an' ridin' over there wasserious business. It meant a whole lot more than just scatterin' oneGreaser camp. It was what had been botherin' more'n one colonel alongthe line. Thorne's feller soldiers was anxious to get him out of a badfix, but they had to wait for orders.
"When Nell found out Thorne was bein' starved an' beat in a dobe shackno more'n two mile across the line, she shore stirred up that cavalrycamp. Shore! She told them soldiers Rojas was holdin'Thorne--torturin' him to make him tell where Mercedes was. She toldabout Mercedes--how sweet an' beautiful she was--how her father hadbeen murdered by Rojas--how she had been hounded by the bandit--how illan' miserable she was, waitin' for her lover. An' she begged thecavalrymen to rescue Thorne.
"From the way it was told to me I reckon them cavalrymen went up in theair. Fine, fiery lot of young bloods, I thought, achin' for a scrap.But the officer in charge, bein' in a ticklish place, still held outfor higher orders.
"Then Nell broke loose. You-all know Nell's tongue is sometimes like achoya thorn. I'd have give somethin' to see her work up that soldieroutfit. Nell's never so pretty as when she's mad. An' this last stuntof hers was no girly tantrum, as Beldin' calls it. She musta beenragin' with all the hell there's in a woman.... Can't you fellers seeher on Blanco Sol with her eyes turnin' black?"
Ladd mopped his sweaty face with his dusty scarf. He was beaming. Hewas growing excited, hurried in his narrative.
"Right out then Nell swore she'd go after Thorne. If them cavalrymencouldn't ride with a Western girl to save a brother American--let themhang back! One feller, under orders, tried to stop Blanco Sol. An'that feller invited himself to the hospital. Then the cavalrymen wentflyin' for their hosses. Mebbe Nell's move was just foxy--woman'scunnin'. But I'm thinkin' as she felt then she'd have sent Blanco Solstraight into Rojas's camp, which, I'd forgot to say, was in plainsight.
"It didn't take long for every cavalryman in that camp to get wind ofwhat was comin' off. Shore they musta been wild. They strung outafter Nell in a thunderin' troop.
"Say, I wish you fellers could see the lane that bunch of hosses leftin the greasewood an' cactus. Looks like there'd been a cattlestampede on the desert.... Blanco Sol stayed o
ut in front, you cangamble on that. Right into Rojas's camp! Sabe, you senors? GawdAlmighty! I never had grief that 'd hold a candle to this one of bein'too late to see Nell an' Sol in their one best race.
"Rojas an' his men vamoosed without a shot. That ain't surprisin'.There wasn't a shot fired by anybody. The cavalrymen soon found Thornean' hurried with him back on Uncle Sam's land. Thorne was half naked,black an' blue all over, thin as a rail. He looked mighty sick when Iseen him first. That was a little after midday. He was given food an'drink. Shore he seemed a starved man. But he picked up wonderful, an'by the time Jim came along he was wantin' to start for Forlorn River.So was Nell. By main strength as much as persuasion we kept the two ofthem quiet till next evenin' at dark.
"Well, we made as sneaky a start in the dark as Jim an' me couldmanage, an' never hit the trail till we was miles from town. Thorne'snerve held him up for a while. Then all at once he tumbled out of hissaddle. We got him back, an' Lash held him on. Nell didn't give outtill daybreak."
As Ladd paused in his story Belding began to stutter, and finally heexploded. His mighty utterances were incoherent. But plainly thewrath he had felt toward the wilful girl was forgotten. Gale remainedgripped by silence.
"I reckon you'll all be some surprised when you see Casita," went onLadd. "It's half burned an' half tore down. An' the rebels are livin'fat. There was rumors of another federal force on the road from CasaGrandes. I seen a good many Americans from interior Mexico, an' thestories they told would make your hair stand up. They all packed guns,was fightin' mad at Greasers, an' sore on the good old U. S. But shoreglad to get over the line! Some were waitin' for trains, which don'trun reg'lar no more, an' others were ready to hit the trails north."
"Laddy, what knocks me is Rojas holding Thorne prisoner, trying to makehim tell where Mercedes had been hidden," said Belding.
"Shore. It 'd knock anybody."
"The bandit's crazy over her. That's the Spanish of it," repliedBelding, his voice rolling. "Rojas is a peon. He's been a slave tothe proud Castilian. He loves Mercedes as he hates her. When I wasdown in Durango I saw something of these peons' insane passions. Rojaswants this girl only to have her, then kill her. It's damn strange,boys, and even with Thorne here our troubles have just begun."
"Tom, you spoke correct," said Jim Ladd, in his cool drawl.
"Shore I'm not sayin' what I think," added Ladd. But the look of himwas not indicative of a tranquil optimism.
Thorne was put to bed in Gale's room. He was very weak, yet he wouldkeep Mercedes's hand and gaze at her with unbelieving eyes. Mercedes'sfailing hold on hope and strength seemed to have been a fantasy; shewas again vivid, magnetic, beautiful, shot through and through withintense and throbbing life. She induced him to take food and drink.Then, fighting sleep with what little strength he had left, at last hesuccumbed.
For all Dick could ascertain his friend never stirred an eyelash nor afinger for twenty-seven hours. When he awoke he was pale, weak, butthe old Thorne.
"Hello, Dick; I didn't dream it then," he said. "There you are, and mydarling with the proud, dark eyes--she's here?"
"Why, yes, you locoed cavalryman."
"Say, what's happened to you? It can't be those clothes and a littlebronze on your face.... Dick, you're older--you've changed. You're notso thickly built. By Gad, if you don't look fine!"
"Thanks. I'm sorry I can't return the compliment. You're about theseediest, hungriest-looking fellow I ever saw.... Say, old man, youmust have had a tough time."
A dark and somber fire burned out the happiness in Thorne's eyes.
"Dick, don't make me--don't let me think of that fiend Rojas!.... I'mhere now. I'll be well in a day or two. Then!..."
Mercedes came in, radiant and soft-voiced. She fell upon her kneesbeside Thorne's bed, and neither of them appeared to see Nell enterwith a tray. Then Gale and Nell made a good deal of unnecessary bustlein moving a small table close to the bed. Mercedes had forgotten forthe moment that her lover had been a starving man. If Thorne rememberedit he did not care. They held hands and looked at each other withoutspeaking.
"Nell, I thought I had it bad," whispered Dick. "But I'm not--"
"Hush. It's beautiful," replied Nell, softly; and she tried to coaxDick from the room.
Dick, however, thought he ought to remain at least long enough to tellThorne that a man in his condition could not exist solely upon love.
Mercedes sprang up blushing with pretty, penitent manner and movingwhite hands eloquent of her condition.
"Oh, Mercedes--don't go!" cried Thorne, as she stepped to the door.
"Senor Dick will stay. He is not mucha malo for you--as I am."
Then she smiled and went out.
"Good Lord!" exclaimed Thorne. "How I love her. Dick, isn't she themost beautiful, the loveliest, the finest--"
"George, I share your enthusiasm," said Dick, dryly, "but Mercedesisn't the only girl on earth."
Manifestly this was a startling piece of information, and struck Thornein more than one way.
"George," went on Dick, "did you happen to observe the girl who savedyour life--who incidentally just fetched in your breakfast?"
"Nell Burton! Why, of course. She's brave, a wonderful girl, andreally nice-looking."
"You long, lean, hungry beggar! That was the young lady who mightanswer the raving eulogy you just got out of your system.... I--well,you haven't cornered the love market!"
Thorne uttered some kind of a sound that his weakened condition wouldnot allow to be a whoop.
"Dick! Do you mean it?"
"I shore do, as Laddy says."
"I'm glad, Dick, with all my heart. I wondered at the changed look youwear. Why, boy, you've got a different front.... Call the lady in, andyou bet I'll look her over right. I can see better now."
"Eat your breakfast. There's plenty of time to dazzle you afterward."
Thorne fell to upon his breakfast and made it vanish with magic speed.Meanwhile Dick told him something of a ranger's life along the border.
"You needn't waste your breath," said Thorne. "I guess I can see.Belding and those rangers have made you the real thing--the realWestern goods.... What I want to know is all about the girl."
"Well, Laddy swears she's got your girl roped in the corral for looks."
"That's not possible. I'll have to talk to Laddy.... But she must be awonder, or Dick Gale would never have fallen for her.... Isn't itgreat, Dick? I'm here! Mercedes is well--safe! You've got a girl!Oh!.... But say, I haven't a dollar to my name. I had a lot of money,Dick, and those robbers stole it, my watch--everything. Damn thatlittle black Greaser! He got Mercedes's letters. I wish you couldhave seen him trying to read them. He's simply nutty over her, Dick.I could have borne the loss of money and valuables--but thosebeautiful, wonderful letters--they're gone!"
"Cheer up. You have the girl. Belding will make you a propositionpresently. The future smiles, old friend. If this rebel business wasonly ended!"
"Dick, you're going to be my savior twice over.... Well, now, listen tome." His gay excitement changed to earnest gravity. "I want to marryMercedes at once. Is there a padre here?"
"Yes. But are you wise in letting any Mexican, even a priest, knowMercedes is hidden in Forlorn River?"
"It couldn't be kept much longer."
Gale was compelled to acknowledge the truth of this statement.
"I'll marry her first, then I'll face my problem. Fetch the padre,Dick. And ask our kind friends to be witnesses at the ceremony."
Much to Gale's surprise neither Belding nor Ladd objected to the ideaof bringing a padre into the household, and thereby making known to atleast one Mexican the whereabouts of Mercedes Castaneda. Belding'scaution was wearing out in wrath at the persistent unsettled conditionof the border, and Ladd grew only the cooler and more silent aspossibilities of trouble multiplied.
Gale fetched the padre, a little, weazened, timid man who was old andwithout inte
rest or penetration. Apparently he married Mercedes andThorne as he told his beads or mumbled a prayer. It was Mrs. Beldingwho kept the occasion from being a merry one, and she insisted on notexciting Thorne. Gale marked her unusual pallor and the singular depthand sweetness of her voice.
"Mother, what's the use of making a funeral out of a marriage?"protested Belding. "A chance for some fun doesn't often come toForlorn River. You're a fine doctor. Can't you see the girl is whatThorne needed? He'll be well to-morrow, don't mistake me."
"George, when you're all right again we'll add something to presentcongratulations," said Gale.
"We shore will," put in Ladd.
So with parting jests and smiles they left the couple to themselves.
Belding enjoyed a laugh at his good wife's expense, for Thorne couldnot be kept in bed, and all in a day, it seemed, he grew so well and sohungry that his friends were delighted, and Mercedes was radiant. In afew days his weakness disappeared and he was going the round of thefields and looking over the ground marked out in Gale's plan of waterdevelopment. Thorne was highly enthusiastic, and at once staked outhis claim for one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining that ofBelding and the rangers. These five tracts took in all the groundnecessary for their operations, but in case of the success of theirrigation project the idea was to increase their squatter holdings bypurchase of more land down the valley. A hundred families had latelymoved to Forlorn River; more were coming all the time; and Beldingvowed he could see a vision of the whole Altar Valley green with farms.
Meanwhile everybody in Belding's household, except the quiet Ladd andthe watchful Yaqui, in the absence of disturbance of any kind along theborder, grew freer and more unrestrained, as if anxiety was slowlyfading in the peace of the present. Jim Lash made a trip to theSonoyta Oasis, and Ladd patrolled fifty miles of the line eastwardwithout incident or sight of raiders. Evidently all the border hawkswere in at the picking of Casita.
The February nights were cold, with a dry, icy, penetrating coldnessthat made a warm fire most comfortable. Belding's household usuallycongregated in the sitting-room, where burning mesquite logs crackledin the open fireplace. Belding's one passion besides horses was thegame of checkers, and he was always wanting to play. On this night hesat playing with Ladd, who never won a game and never could give uptrying. Mrs. Belding worked with her needle, stopping from time totime to gaze with thoughtful eyes into the fire. Jim Lash smoked hispipe by the hearth and played with the cat on his knee. Thorne andMercedes were at the table with pencil and paper; and he was trying hisbest to keep his attention from his wife's beautiful, animated facelong enough to read and write a little Spanish. Gale and Nell sat in acorner watching the bright fire.
There came a low knock on the door. It may have been an ordinaryknock, for it did not disturb the women; but to Belding and his rangersit had a subtle meaning.
"Who's that?" asked Belding, as he slowly pushed back his chair andlooked at Ladd.
"Yaqui," replied the ranger.
"Come in," called Belding.
The door opened, and the short, square, powerfully built Indianentered. He had a magnificent head, strangely staring, somber blackeyes, and very darkly bronzed face. He carried a rifle and strode withimpressive dignity.
"Yaqui, what do you want?" asked Belding, and repeated his question inSpanish.
"Senor Dick," replied the Indian.
Gale jumped up, stifling an exclamation, and he went outdoors withYaqui. He felt his arm gripped, and allowed himself to be led awaywithout asking a question. Yaqui's presence was always one of gloom,and now his stern action boded catastrophe. Once clear of trees hepointed to the level desert across the river, where a row of campfiresshone bright out of the darkness.
"Raiders!" ejaculated Gale.
Then he cautioned Yaqui to keep sharp lookout, and, hurriedly returningto the house, he called the men out and told them there were rebels orraiders camping just across the line.
Ladd did not say a word. Belding, with an oath, slammed down his cigar.
"I knew it was too good to last.... Dick, you and Jim stay here whileLaddy and I look around."
Dick returned to the sitting-room. The women were nervous and not tobe deceived. So Dick merely said Yaqui had sighted some lights off inthe desert, and they probably were campfires. Belding did not soonreturn, and when he did he was alone, and, saying he wanted to consultwith the men, he sent Mrs. Belding and the girls to their rooms. Hisgloomy anxiety had returned.
"Laddy's gone over to scout around and try to find out who the outfitbelongs to and how many are in it," said Belding.
"I reckon if they're raiders with bad intentions we wouldn't see nofires," remarked Jim, calmly.
"It 'd be useless, I suppose, to send for the cavalry," said Gale."Whatever's coming off would be over before the soldiers could benotified, let alone reach here."
"Hell, fellows! I don't look for an attack on Forlorn River," burstout Belding. "I can't believe that possible. These rebel-raiders havea little sense. They wouldn't spoil their game by pulling U. S.soldiers across the line from Yuma to El Paso. But, as Jim says, ifthey wanted to steal a few horses or cattle they wouldn't build fires.I'm afraid it's--"
Belding hesitated and looked with grim concern at the cavalryman.
"What?" queried Thorne.
"I'm afraid it's Rojas."
Thorne turned pale but did not lose his nerve.
"I thought of that at once. If true, it'll be terrible for Mercedesand me. But Rojas will never get his hands on my wife. If I can'tkill him, I'll kill her!... Belding, this is tough on you--this risk weput upon your family. I regret--"
"Cut that kind of talk," replied Belding, bluntly. "Well, if it isRojas he's acting damn strange for a raider. That's what worries me.We can't do anything but wait. With Laddy and Yaqui out there we won'tbe surprised. Let's take the best possible view of the situation untilwe know more. That'll not likely be before to-morrow."
The women of the house might have gotten some sleep that night, but itwas certain the men did not get any. Morning broke cold and gray, the19th of February. Breakfast was prepared earlier than usual, and anair of suppressed waiting excitement pervaded the place. Otherwise theordinary details of the morning's work continued as on any other day.Ladd came in hungry and cold, and said the Mexicans were not breakingcamp. He reported a good-sized force of rebels, and was taciturn as tohis idea of forthcoming events.
About an hour after sunrise Yaqui ran in with the information that partof the rebels were crossing the river.
"That can't mean a fight yet," declared Belding. "But get in thehouse, boys, and make ready anyway. I'll meet them."
"Drive them off the place same as if you had a company of soldiersbackin' you," said Ladd. "Don't give them an inch. We're in bad, andthe bigger bluff we put up the more likely our chance."
"Belding, you're an officer of the United States. Mexicans are muchimpressed by show of authority. I've seen that often in camp," saidThorne.
"Oh, I know the white-livered Greasers better than any of you, don'tmistake me," replied Belding. He was pale with rage, but kept commandover himself.
The rangers, with Yaqui and Thorne, stationed themselves at the severalwindows of the sitting-room. Rifles and smaller arms and boxes ofshells littered the tables and window seats. No small force ofbesiegers could overcome a resistance such as Belding and his men werecapable of making.
"Here they come, boys," called Gale, from his window.
"Rebel-raiders I should say, Laddy."
"Shore. An' a fine outfit of buzzards!"
"Reckon there's about a dozen in the bunch," observed the calm Lash."Some hosses they're ridin'. Where 'n the hell do they get suchhosses, anyhow?"
"Shore, Jim, they work hard an' buy 'em with real silver pesos,"replied Ladd, sarcastically.
"Do any of you see Rojas?" whispered Thorne.
"Nix. No dandy bandit in that outfit."
"
It's too far to see," said Gale.
The horsemen halted at the corrals. They were orderly and showed noevidence of hostility. They were, however, fully armed. Beldingstalked out to meet them. Apparently a leader wanted to parley withhim, but Belding would hear nothing. He shook his head, waved hisarms, stamped to and fro, and his loud, angry voice could be heardclear back at the house. Whereupon the detachment of rebels retired tothe bank of the river, beyond the white post that marked the boundaryline, and there they once more drew rein. Belding remained by thecorrals watching them, evidently still in threatening mood. Presently asingle rider left the troop and trotted his horse back down the road.When he reached the corrals he was seen to halt and pass something toBelding. Then he galloped away to join his comrades.
Belding looked at whatever it was he held in his hand, shook his burleyhead, and started swiftly for the house. He came striding into theroom holding a piece of soiled paper.
"Can't read it and don't know as I want to," he said, savagely.
"Beldin', shore we'd better read it," replied Ladd. "What we want is aline on them Greasers. Whether they're Campo's men or Salazar's, orjust a wanderin' bunch of rebels--or Rojas's bandits. Sabe, senor?"
Not one of the men was able to translate the garbled scrawl.
"Shore Mercedes can read it," said Ladd.
Thorne opened a door and called her. She came into the room followedby Nell and Mrs. Belding. Evidently all three divined a criticalsituation.
"My dear, we want you to read what's written on this paper," saidThorne, as he led her to the table. "It was sent in by rebels,and--and we fear contains bad news for us."
Mercedes gave the writing one swift glance, then fainted in Thorne'sarms. He carried her to a couch, and with Nell and Mrs. Belding beganto work over her.
Belding looked at his rangers. It was characteristic of the man that,now when catastrophe appeared inevitable, all the gloom and care andangry agitation passed from him.
"Laddy, it's Rojas all right. How many men has he out there?"
"Mebbe twenty. Not more."
"We can lick twice that many Greasers."
"Shore."
Jim Lash removed his pipe long enough to speak.
"I reckon. But it ain't sense to start a fight when mebbe we can avoidit."
"What's your idea?"
"Let's stave the Greaser off till dark. Then Laddy an' me an' Thornewill take Mercedes an' hit the trail for Yuma."
"Camino del Diablo! That awful trail with a woman! Jim, do you forgethow many hundreds of men have perished on the Devil's Road?"
"I reckon I ain't forgettin' nothin'," replied Jim. "The waterholesare full now. There's grass, an' we can do the job in six days."
"It's three hundred miles to Yuma."
"Beldin', Jim's idea hits me pretty reasonable," interposed Ladd. "Lordknows that's about the only chance we've got except fightin'."
"But suppose we do stave Rojas off, and you get safely away withMercedes. Isn't Rojas going to find it out quick? Then what'll he tryto do to us who're left here?"
"I reckon he'd find out by daylight," replied Jim. "But, Tom, he ain'tagoin' to start a scrap then. He'd want time an' hosses an' men tochase us out on the trail. You see, I'm figgerin' on the crazy Greaserwantin' the girl. I reckon he'll try to clean up here to get her. Buthe's too smart to fight you for nothin'. Rojas may be nutty aboutwomen, but he's afraid of the U. S. Take my word for it he'd discoverthe trail in the mornin' an' light out on it. I reckon with ten hours'start we could travel comfortable."
Belding paced up and down the room. Jim and Ladd whispered together.Gale walked to the window and looked out at the distant group ofbandits, and then turned his gaze to rest upon Mercedes. She wasconscious now, and her eyes seemed all the larger and blacker for thewhiteness of her face. Thorne held her hands, and the other women weretrying to still her tremblings.
No one but Gale saw the Yaqui in the background looking down upon theSpanish girl. All of Yaqui's looks were strange; but this singularlyso. Gale marked it, and felt he would never forget. Mercedes's beautyhad never before struck him as being so exquisite, so alluring as nowwhen she lay stricken. Gale wondered if the Indian was affected by herloveliness, her helplessness, or her terror. Yaqui had seen Mercedesonly a few times, and upon each of these he had appeared to befascinated. Could the strange Indian, because his hate for Mexicanswas so great, be gloating over her misery? Something about Yaqui--anoble austerity of countenance--made Gale feel his suspicion unjust.
Presently Belding called his rangers to him, and then Thorne.
"Listen to this," he said, earnestly. "I'll go out and have a talkwith Rojas. I'll try to reason with him; tell him to think a long timebefore he sheds blood on Uncle Sam's soil. That he's now after anAmerican's wife! I'll not commit myself, nor will I refuse outright toconsider his demands, nor will I show the least fear of him. I'll playfor time. If my bluff goes through... well and good.... After dark thefour of you, Laddy, Jim, Dick, and Thorne, will take Mercedes and mybest white horses, and, with Yaqui as guide, circle round through AltarValley to the trail, and head for Yuma.... Wait now, Laddy. Let mefinish. I want you to take the white horses for two reasons--to savethem and to save you. Savvy? If Rojas should follow on my horses he'dbe likely to catch you. Also, you can pack a great deal more than onthe bronchs. Also, the big horses can travel faster and farther onlittle grass and water. I want you to take the Indian, because in acase of this kind he'll be a godsend. If you get headed or lost orhave to circle off the trail, think what it 'd mean to have Yaqui withyou. He knows Sonora as no Greaser knows it. He could hide you, findwater and grass, when you would absolutely believe it impossible. TheIndian is loyal. He has his debt to pay, and he'll pay it, don'tmistake me. When you're gone I'll hide Nell so Rojas won't see her ifhe searches the place. Then I think I could sit down and wait withoutany particular worry."
The rangers approved of Belding's plan, and Thorne choked in his effortto express his gratitude.
"All right, we'll chance it," concluded Belding. "I'll go out now andcall Rojas and his outfit over... Say, it might be as well for me toknow just what he said in that paper."
Thorne went to the side of his wife.
"Mercedes, we've planned to outwit Rojas. Will you tell us just whathe wrote?"
The girl sat up, her eyes dilating, and with her hands claspingThorne's. She said:
"Rojas swore--by his saints and his virgin--that if I wasn't given--tohim--in twenty-four hours--he would set fire to the village--kill themen--carry off the women--hang the children on cactus thorns!"
A moment's silence followed her last halting whisper.
"By his saints an' his virgin!" echoed Ladd. He laughed--a cold,cutting, deadly laugh--significant and terrible.
Then the Yaqui uttered a singular cry. Gale had heard this oncebefore, and now he remembered it was at the Papago Well.
"Look at the Indian," whispered Belding, hoarsely. "Damn if I don'tbelieve he understood every word Mercedes said. And, gentlemen, don'tmistake me, if he ever gets near Senor Rojas there'll be some goryAztec knife work."
Yaqui had moved close to Mercedes, and stood beside her as she leanedagainst her husband. She seemed impelled to meet the Indian's gaze,and evidently it was so powerful or hypnotic that it wroughtirresistibly upon her. But she must have seen or divined what wasbeyond the others, for she offered him her trembling hand. Yaqui tookit and laid it against his body in a strange motion, and bowed hishead. Then he stepped back into the shadow of the room.
Belding went outdoors while the rangers took up their former positionat the west window. Each had his own somber thoughts, Gale imagined,and knew his own were dark enough. A slow fire crept along his veins.He saw Belding halt at the corrals and wave his hand. Then the rebelsmounted and came briskly up the road, this time to rein in abreast.
Wherever Rojas had kept himself upon the former advance was not clear;but he certainly was pr
ominently in sight now. He made a gaudy, almosta dashing figure. Gale did not recognize the white sombrero, thecrimson scarf, the velvet jacket, nor any feature of the dandy'scostume; but their general effect, the whole ensemble, recalled vividlyto mind his first sight of the bandit. Rojas dismounted and seemed tobe listening. He betrayed none of the excitement Gale had seen in himthat night at the Del Sol. Evidently this composure struck Ladd andLash as unusual in a Mexican supposed to be laboring under stress offeeling. Belding made gestures, vehemently bobbed his big head,appeared to talk with his body as much as with his tongue. Then Rojaswas seen to reply, and after that it was clear that the talk becamepainful and difficult. It ended finally in what appeared to be mutualunderstanding. Rojas mounted and rode away with his men, while Beldingcame tramping back to the house.
As he entered the door his eyes were shining, his big hands wereclenched, and he was breathing audibly.
"You can rope me if I'm not locoed!" he burst out. "I went out toconciliate a red-handed little murderer, and damn me if I didn't meeta--a--well, I've not suitable name handy. I started my bluff and gotalong pretty well, but I forgot to mention that Mercedes was Thorne'swife. And what do you think? Rojas swore he loved Mercedes--sworehe'd marry her right here in Forlorn River--swore he would give uprobbing and killing people, and take her away from Mexico. He hasgold--jewels. He swore if he didn't get her nothing mattered. He'ddie anyway without her.... And here's the strange thing. I believehim! He was cold as ice, and all hell inside. Never saw a Greaserlike him. Well, I pretended to be greatly impressed. We got totalking friendly, I suppose, though I didn't understand half he said,and I imagine he gathered less what I said. Anyway, without my askinghe said for me to think it over for a day and then we'd talk again."
"Shore we're born lucky!" ejaculated Ladd.
"I reckon Rojas'll be smart enough to string his outfit across the fewtrails leadin' out of Forlorn River," remarked Jim.
"That needn't worry us. All we want is dark to come," replied Belding."Yaqui will slip through. If we thank any lucky stars let it be forthe Indian.... Now, boys, put on your thinking caps. You'll take eighthorses, the pick of my bunch. You must pack all that's needed for apossible long trip. Mind, Yaqui may lead you down into some wildSonora valley and give Rojas the slip. You may get to Yuma in six days,and maybe in six weeks. Yet you've got to pack light--a small pack insaddles--larger ones on the two free horses. You may have a big fight.Laddy, take the .405. Dick will pack his Remington. All of you gogunned heavy. But the main thing is a pack that 'll be light enoughfor swift travel, yet one that 'll keep you from starving on thedesert."
The rest of that day passed swiftly. Dick had scarcely a word withNell, and all the time, as he chose and deliberated and worked over hislittle pack, there was a dull pain in his heart.
The sun set, twilight fell, then night closed down fortunately a nightslightly overcast. Gale saw the white horses pass his door like silentghosts. Even Blanco Diablo made no sound, and that fact was indeed atribute to the Yaqui. Gale went out to put his saddle on Blanco Sol.The horse rubbed a soft nose against his shoulder. Then Gale returnedto the sitting-room. There was nothing more to do but wait and saygood-by. Mercedes came clad in leather chaps and coat, a slimstripling of a cowboy, her dark eyes flashing. Her beauty could not behidden, and now hope and courage had fired her blood.
Gale drew Nell off into the shadow of the room. She was trembling, andas she leaned toward him she was very different from the coy girl whohad so long held him aloof. He took her into his arms.
"Dearest, I'm going--soon.... And maybe I'll never--"
"Dick, do--don't say it," sobbed Nell, with her head on his breast.
"I might never come back," he went on, steadily. "I love you--I'veloved you ever since the first moment I saw you. Do you care for me--alittle?"
"Dear Dick--de-dear Dick, my heart is breaking," faltered Nell, as sheclung to him.
"It might be breaking for Mercedes--for Laddy and Jim. I want to hearsomething for myself. Something to have on long marches--round lonelycampfires. Something to keep my spirit alive. Oh, Nell, you can'timagine that silence out there--that terrible world of sand andstone!... Do you love me?"
"Yes, yes. Oh, I love you so! I never knew it till now. I love youso. Dick, I'll be safe and I'll wait--and hope and pray for yourreturn."
"If I come back--no--when I come back, will you marry me?"
"I--I--oh yes!" she whispered, and returned his kiss.
Belding was in the room speaking softly.
"Nell, darling, I must go," said Dick.
"I'm a selfish little coward," cried Nell. "It's so splendid of youall. I ought to glory in it, but I can't. ... Fight if you must,Dick. Fight for that lovely persecuted girl. I'll love you--themore.... Oh! Good-by! Good-by!"
With a wrench that shook him Gale let her go. He heard Belding's softvoice.
"Yaqui says the early hour's best. Trust him, Laddy. Remember what Isay--Yaqui's a godsend."
Then they were all outside in the pale gloom under the trees. Yaquimounted Blanco Diablo; Mercedes was lifted upon White Woman; Thorneclimbed astride Queen; Jim Lash was already upon his horse, which wasas white as the others but bore no name; Ladd mounted the stallionBlanco Torres, and gathered up the long halters of the two pack horses;Gale came last with Blanco Sol.
As he toed the stirrup, hand on mane and pommel, Gale took one morelook in at the door. Nell stood in the gleam of light, her hairshining, face like ashes, her eyes dark, her lips parted, her armsoutstretched. That sweet and tragic picture etched its cruel outlinesinto Gale's heart. He waved his hand and then fiercely leaped into thesaddle.
Blanco Sol stepped out.
Before Gale stretched a line of moving horses, white against darkshadows. He could not see the head of that column; he scarcely heard asoft hoofbeat. A single star shone out of a rift in thin clouds.There was no wind. The air was cold. The dark space of desert seemedto yawn. To the left across the river flickered a few campfires. Thechill night, silent and mystical, seemed to close in upon Gale; and hefaced the wide, quivering, black level with keen eyes and grim intent,and an awakening of that wild rapture which came like a spell to him inthe open desert.