the crowning
faith that this man loved her as no other ever had--truly, nobly, and
forever. Her face was aglow as she drew reluctantly back from him, her
eyes upon his, her cheeks flushed, her lips trembling. Yet with the
parting came as swiftly back the resolution which made her strong.

"Eh, senor; eet shame me, but you promise--please, senor!"

Like a flash, in some mysterious manner, she had slipped free, evaded
his effort to grasp her dress, and, with quick, whirling motion, was
already half-way across the open space, daring to mock him even while
flinging back her long hair, the sunlight full upon her. Never could
she appear more delicately attractive, more coquettishly charming.

"Ah, see--you tink me de prisoner. Eet vas not all de strength, senor,
not all. You no can catch me again till I lofe you; not de once till I
lofe you, senor."

He started toward her blindly, taunted by these unexpected words of
renunciation. But she danced away, ever managing to keep well beyond
reach, until she disappeared within the narrow path leading to the
cabin. He could see her through the vista of branches, pausing to look
back and watch if he followed.

"B-but you do," he called out, "I-I know you d-do. Won't yer just
s-s-say it for me onct?"

"Say dat I marry you?"

"Y-yes, for it means ther same. Anyhow, s-say yer love me."

She laughed, shaking her head so hard the black hair became a whirling
cloud about her.

"No, no! eet not de same, senor. Maybe I lofe you, maybe not yet. Dat
ees vat you must fin' out. But marry? Dat no show I lofe you. Oh, de
men! to tink eet vas de only vay to prove lofe to marry. No, no! maybe
I show you some day eef I lofe you; si, some day I show you ven I know
true. But dat not mean I marry you. Dat mean more as dat--you see.
_Adios_, senor."

And he stood alone, staring at the blank door, strangely happy,
although not content.

CHAPTER XXI

UNDER ARREST

When Brown emerged from behind the protection of the cabin, his
freckled face yet burning red in memory of his strenuous love-making,
he discovered both Hicks and Winston standing upon the rock which
shortly before had formed their breakfast table, gazing watchfully off
into the purple depths of the canyon, occasionally lifting their eyes
to search carefully the nearer surroundings about the hostile
"Independence." Something serious was in the air, and all three men
felt its mysterious presence. Hicks hel