nteen is
full. We'll need it. The other mule is frantic. I couldn't touch her."

At the moment I thought how wise and brave and beautiful she was! Mine for
the hour, here--and after? Montoyo should never have her; not in life nor
in death.

"You must stop some of those fiends from sneaking closer," she counseled.
"See? They're trying us out."

More and more frequently some one of the scurrying enemy veered sharply,
tore in toward us, hanging upon the farther side of his horse; boldly
jerked erect and shot, and with demi-volt of his mount was away,
whooping.

I had been desperately saving the ammunition, to eke out this hour of mine
with her. Every note from the revolver summoned the end a little nearer.
But we had our game to play; and after all, the end was certain. So under
her prompting (she being partner, commander, everything), when the next
painted ruffian--a burly fellow in drapery of flannel-fringed cotton
shirt, with flaunting crimson tassels on his pony's mane--bore down, I
guessed shrewdly, arose and let him have it.

She cried out, clapping her hands.

"Good! Good!"

The pony was sprawling and kicking; the rider had hurtled free, and went
jumping and dodging like a jack-rabbit.

"To the right! Watch!"

Again I needs must fire, driving the rascals aside with the report of the
Colt's. That was five. Not sparing my wounded arm I hastily reloaded, for
by custom of the country the hammer had rested over an empty chamber. I
filled the cylinder.

"They're killing the mules," she said. "But we can't help it."

The two mules were snorting and plunging; their hoofs rang against the
rocks. Sioux to rear had dismounted and were shooting carefully. There was
exultant shout--one mule had broken loose. She galloped out, reddened,
stirrups swinging, canteen bouncing, right into the waiting line; and down
she lunged, abristle with feathered points launched into her by sheer
spiteful joy.

The firing was resumed. We heard the other mule scream with note
indescribable; we heard him flounder and kick; and again the savages
yelled.

Now they all charged recklessly from the four sides; and I had to stand
and fire, right, left, before, behind, emptying the gun once more ere they
scattered and fled. I sensed her fingers twitching at my belt, extracting
fresh cartridges. We sank, breathing hard. Her eyes were wide, and bluer
than any deepest summer sea; her face aflame; her hair of purest gold--and
upon her shoulde