ong the
cactus and grease wood, the riders burst in sight again and went
lashing away to the store--two ranchmen or prospectors, said Bucketts,
and they've been having the time of their life getting in. 'Tonio said
the Tontos were all about them, and here was additional proof. The last
Bucketts saw of Case he was lurching on toward the store, but, just
then, buttoning his riding jacket and girding on his revolver belt, out
came Willett.

"Well, what is it?" was his brief, almost sullen question. And then
came his classmate's answer--one that Bucketts long remembered.

"You are going up the valley, I take it, and there is an alarm of some
kind. Now, Willett, remember this: no matter what you have seen or
suspect, the Apache-Mohaves had no part in the devil's work at
Bennett's. I have 'Tonio's word for it, and will bring proofs."

"Damn 'Tonio's word! He's a renegade and a deserter himself! He's
playing a deep, double game, and you yourself suspected it three days
ago. Now he's proved it. I've no time to talk." And impatiently he
turned away and sprang for his horse. A moment more and he was in
saddle, had set spurs to his excited mount, and then, full gallop, went
tearing to the edge of the mesa, lifted his hat in salutation to the
general, and dove down the slope, across the lower bench, away through
an upper ford of the sluggish winter stream, and out upon the sandy
flats beyond.

"Rides well," said the general, looking after him.

"_Rides_ very well," said the surgeon, looking after Strong. "Can you
see anything yet, sir?"

"Could see two horses ten minutes ago, with some running figures far up
the valley. Can't make 'em out at all. Strong'll fetch 'em--Strong and
Willett. Good stock there, doctor!"

"Tiptop, where Strong is concerned," said the doctor grimly. The events
of the earlier afternoon had tended to add to his disapprobation of the
other. "There's something up at the store, sir, I think," he added,
with a swift change of subject. "I saw men running that way just now.
Here comes Bucketts!"

And Bucketts came, hobbling sturdily. "It's two ranchmen, I think, and
there was a shot down toward the south-east ten minutes ago."

The general looked back. Down in front of the log barracks Bonner's
company, in fatigue dress, had formed ranks, and the sergeants were
distributing ammunition. Across the parade, the verandas of the Mess
and office buildings were deserted, but one or two men stood staring
toward