ided Rhodes crisply. "If you don't
beat it with Pardner, we'll lose him, sure! I'm going to take these
Indians back, and you can help most by waiting north of the line till
you hear from me. I'll get word to you at Granados. So, if there
should be any trouble with these visitors of ours, your trail is
clear;--savvy?"

Two men rode into view in the bend of the arroya. A cartridge belt
across each shoulder, and one around each waist, was the most
important part of their equipment.

"_Buenos dias_, senors," said one politely, while his little black
eyes roved quickly over the group. "Is there still water to be found
in the well here? _Dios!_ it is the heat of hell down there in the
valley."

"At your service, senor, is water fresh drawn," said Rhodes, and
turned to the girl, "Oija, Tulita!--water for the gentlemen. You ride
far, senor?"

"From Soledad wells."

"Yes, I know the brand," remarked Rhodes.

"This is a good season in which to avoid too much knowledge, or too
good a memory, senor," observed the man who had not spoken. "Many
herds will change hands without markets before tranquility is over in
Mexico."

"I believe you, senor, and we who have nothing will be the lucky
ones," agreed Rhodes, regarding the man with a new interest. He was
not handsome, but there was a something quick and untamed in his keen,
black eyes, and though the mouth had cruel hard lines, his tone was
certainly friendly, yet dominating.

"What have you here?" he asked with a gesture toward Miguel.

"My Indian who tried to save his women from slavers, and was left for
dead," stated Rhodes frankly.

"And this?"

He pointed to the girl filling again the water bottles.

"She is mine, senor. We go to our own homes."

"Hum! you should be enlisted in the fights and become capitan, but
these would drop by the trail if you left them. Well, another time
perhaps, senor! For the water many thanks. _Adios!_" and with wave of
the hand they clattered down the arroya.

"Queer," muttered Rhodes, "did you catch that second chap signal to
the gun man in the cactus? He craw-fished back over the mesa and faded
away."

"They didn't come for water alone--some scouten' party trailin' every
sign found," decided Pike. "I'll bet they had us circled before the
two showed themselves. Wonder who they are after?"

"Anyway they didn't think us worth while gathering in, which is a
comfort. That second fellow looks like someone I've crossed trails
with, b