the remuda. None of them had slept for
forty-eight hours. They had been through a grueling experience that had
tried soul and body to the limit. But none of them hesitated for an
instant. They belonged to the old West which answers the call no matter
what the personal cost. There was work to do. Not one of them would quit
as long as he could stick to the saddle.

CHAPTER XLII

SHORTY IS AWAKENED

The eyes that looked into those of Joyce in the gloom of the cabin
abruptly shook off sleep. They passed from an amazed incredulity to a
malicious triumph.

"So you've come to old Dug, have you, my pretty?" a heavy voice jeered.

The girl writhed and twisted regardless of the pain, exerting every
muscle of the strong young arm and shoulder. As well she might have tried
to beat down an iron door with her bare hands as to hope for escape from
his strong grip. He made a motion to draw her closer. Joyce flung herself
back and sank down beside the bunk, straining away.

"Let me go!" she cried, terror rampant in her white face. "Don't touch
me! Let me go!"

The force of her recoil had drawn him to his side. His cruel, mirthless
grin seemed to her to carry inexpressible menace. Very slowly, while his
eyes taunted her, he pulled her manacled wrist closer.

There was a swift flash of white teeth. With a startled oath Doble
snatched his arm away. Savage as a tigress, Joyce had closed her teeth
on his forearm.

She fell back, got to her feet, and fled from the house. Doble was after
her on the instant. She dodged round a tree, doubled on her course, then
deflected toward the corral. Swift and supple though she was, his long
strides brought him closer. Again she screamed.

Doble caught her. She fought in his arms, a prey to wild and unreasoning
terror.

"You young hell-cat, I'm not gonna hurt you," he said. "What's the use o'
actin' crazy?"

He could have talked to the waves of the sea with as much effect. It is
doubtful if she heard him.

There was a patter of rapid feet. A small body hurled itself against
Doble's leg and clung there, beating his thigh with a valiant little
fist.

"You le' my sister go! You le' my sister go!" the boy shouted, repeating
the words over and over.

Doble looked down at Keith. "What the hell?" he demanded, amazed.

The Mexican came forward and spoke in Spanish rapidly. He explained that
he could not have prevented the boy from coming without arousing the
suspicions of his sister