rly. "We can make the _rancho_ with
hard riding by morning. That is, unless you burden yourself with those!"
he gestured scornfully toward the two Americans.

Angel hesitated. Like Scott, he hated changing his mind. Also, the ransom
loomed large; and he liked the woman's looks--liked her manner of talk.
With her dark hair and eyes, and her soft voice, she was like one of his
own people----only much more charming, he reflected, with a gleam of the
eye.

"Senor Pachuca says----"

"The devil with Senor Pachuca!" exploded Angel, menacingly. "Go back and
tell him----" But the messenger had already gone. His horse's feet were
pattering down the side of the hill at a rate which argued panic in its
rider. A laugh rose from the men, and Angel, guffawing himself, sent a
parting bullet over the boy's head.

"Cheerful man, isn't he?" muttered Hard. "Never mind, Clara, he didn't hit
the boy. It's evidently only his little joke."

"Monster!" Clara's black eyes snapped.

Apparently the little joke had cleared Angel's mental atmosphere, for
without further explanation, he turned and with a rough: "Get on your
horses--we'll go!" swung onto his mount. Cortes, with a grin of relief,
passed the word on:

"To horse!" And in a second the party was mounted. Hard and Clara stood
watching, ignorant of what part they were to play in this new move. No
attempt was made to mount them, which was in itself encouraging, nor did
there seem to have been anyone detailed to stay and guard them. There was
another confab between Gonzales and Cortes, which resulted in the latter's
coming toward the two Americans and saying, gruffly:

"Captain Gonzales regrets that he cannot escort you further but he is
called suddenly to the front." There was a pause, then, with an impudent
grin, he continued, "Of course you know that in time of war, all alien
property is confiscate? You will give me what money you have."

"Oh, yes, give it to him, Henry, please!" Clara's voice was eager. She
pressed her little handbag into Cortes' willing hand. Hard shrugged his
shoulders.

"All right, old man, it's not much, and if I thought you'd buy a good feed
for those horses of yours, I'd hand it over with my blessing. As it is--I
hand it over."

Cortes took the money very much as a conductor collects his fares----with
no comment but a ready hand. He also took a diamond ring which Clara had
thoughtlessly put in the bag for safe keeping and the watch which Hard
carried. T