e wide gulf, searching
with eyes that only half read what lay before them in the starlight.
Their gaze rested upon one definite spot whose shadowy outline was
indicated by the outstretched arm of one of the party. It was a deep
woodland bluff, leaning, as it seemed, for support against the far wall
of the valley's western slope.

After some tense moments the straining eyes beheld the faintest glimmer
of artificial light flickering in the depths of its silent heart. So
faint was it, at the distance, that, for a while, doubt prevailed.
Then conviction supervened as each of the watchers recorded his
observation and a sigh of certitude made itself heard. The point of
light was held by all. It was dwelt upon. It was the verification
needed to convey absolute faith in the woman's tale miraculous.

Perhaps it was the light in some window of a secret abode. Perhaps it
was the steady flicker of an unscreened camp-fire. Perhaps, even, it
was the beam of some lantern carelessly set down and left alight.
Whatever it was it was certainly of human agency, and human agency in
these regions had only one interpretation for the minds of those who
were watching from the high eastern wall of the valley.

Presently a woman's voice spoke in the hush of suppressed excitement.
Her tone was full of an eagerness that hurled her words swiftly upon
the still night air.

"That's where I marked them down," she whispered. "There--just there.
Right where that light's shining. Somewhere in the heart of that
bluff. There was a herd grazing out in front, with three mounted men
guarding it. There's no mistake. It's a bee-line right across. And
the men who fired up this way came out of those trees. It's steep down
these paths. They sort of zigzag their way, but it's a path any horse
can make without danger. It just needs care. Once in the valley it's
a stretch of sweet-grass without a bluff or a break of any sort.
There's no slough either. It's just grass. One big flat of
sweet-grass."

There was no reply from her companions. They were engrossed with the
object of their straining scrutiny. Presently the woman went on again.

"This is where my work quits," she said. Then she withdrew her gaze
and looked up at the dim outline of the big man nearest her. There was
just a shade of eagerness in her manner now. "That's Lightfoot's camp,
Mr. McFarlane," she assured. "I've done all that's needed. You see,
I'm a woman, and I don't g