Rugley would be too ill to take the lead in any chase after the
kidnappers. Perhaps Pete even hoped that the old ranchman would agree
immediately to the terms of ransom set forth in the note Ratty had taken
to the Bar-T.

The ex-cowpuncher was to linger around and see what would be done about
the message to the Captain; then come here and report to Pete. And as
the hours dragged by, and it drew near midnight, with no appearance of
the messenger, the chief plotter grew more anxious.

He huddled over the fire, almost enclosing it with his arms and legs for
warmth. Frances, lying beyond, and out of the puny radiance of its
warmth, felt the chill of the night air keenly. Pete did not even offer
her a blanket.

But her attention was engaged by thoughts of Pratt Sanderson's
sufferings. The young man groaned faintly from time to time, but he gave
no other sign of life.

As Frances lay shivering on the ground her keen senses suddenly
apprehended a new sound. She raised her head a little and the sound was
absent. She dropped back upon the earth again and it returned--a
throbbing sound, distant, faint but insistent.

What could it be? Frances was first startled, then puzzled by it. Each
time that she raised her head the noise drifted away; then it returned
when her ear was against the ground.

"It's a horse--it's several horses," she finally whispered to herself.
"Can it be----?"

She sat up suddenly. Pete immediately commanded her to lie down.

"I'm cramped," said the girl, speaking clearly. "Can't you change these
cords? I won't try to run away."

"I'd hurt you if you did," growled the fellow. "And I ain't going to
change them cords."

"Oh, do!" cried Frances, more loudly.

"Shut up and lay down there!" ordered Pete, raising his own voice.

"No, I will not!" retorted the girl, deliberately tempting Pete into one
of his rages. If he became angry and yelled at her all the better!

"Do what I tell ye!" exclaimed the man. "Ain't ye l'arned that I mean
what I say yet?"

"I must move my limbs. They're cramped and co-o-old!" wailed Frances,
and she put a deal of energy into her cry.

Pete began to get stiffly to his feet. "Do like I tell ye, and lie
down--or I'll knock ye down!" he threatened.

At that the girl risked uttering a cry and shrank back with a semblance
of fear. Aye, there was more than a semblance of fear in the attitude,
for she believed he would strike her. She had shrieked, however, at the
top of