's off somewhere."

While this conversation was going on the three had mounted their ponies
and were galloping northward, this time trending to the right, so as to
draw away from the mountains and follow an almost direct line to
Bowman's ranch, their destination. The animals were so fresh and
spirited that Hazletine said he was hopeful of sleeping that night in
the ranch itself, as he called the low, flat building where he and
several cowmen made their home when in that part of the country
attending to their duties.

It would take hard riding, and would lead them into the night to
accomplish the long journey, but the guide saw no reason why it should
not be done. If a storm came up--and they break with amazing suddenness
at times in that part of the world--or if any mishap befell their
ponies, a stop would have to be made for the night before reaching the
ranch.

Jack Dudley decided to ask a question that had been in his mind for some
time.

"Hank, that Indian last night was in my power, and he knew it as well as
I, but I spared his life and allowed him to ride away without a hair of
his head harmed. Now, don't you think he will feel some gratitude for
that?"

Hazletine threw back his head with uproarious laughter. He seemed to
have heard the best joke of a twelvemonth.

"What give you that idee?" he asked, when he succeeded in mastering his
exuberant mirth.

"Why, the event itself. I know that an Indian is revengeful by nature,
but I have always believed that he was capable of gratitude for
kindness."

"You've read that in story-books, but you never seed it in life. I won't
be quite as rough as that," added the guide, in the same breath; "I have
seen a redskin that didn't furgit that a man had saved him from dying or
being shot, but such redskins are as scarce as hen's teeth. The rule is
that they take all such kindnesses as signs of cowardice, and despise
the one that shows 'em. Let me tell you something that I know,"
continued Hazletine, seriously. "Three years ago, when I was down in
Arizona, Jim Huber was the owner of the ranch where I was working. He
b'leved in treating Injins kindly. I've seen him give the 'Paches water
to drink when they was thirsty, meat to eat, 'bacca to smoke, and even
powder and ball for their guns. He kept that up right along, and when he
was warned agin it, he said an Injin was human like the rest of us, and
he was willing to take his chances. The 'Paches wouldn't furgit what
h