ner. He found an officer with a
firing party already crossing the plaza to the place of execution. The
prisoner was bareheaded, ragged, unkempt. His arms were tied by the
elbows behind his back. But the spirit of the unbeaten spoke in his eyes
and trod in his limping step.

"The general wishes to see the prisoner," explained the messenger to the
officer.

The party wheeled at a right angle, toward the headquarters of Culvera.

Steve thought he understood what this meant. Culvera had sent for him to
gloat over him, to taunt him. The man wanted to hear him beg for his
life. The teeth of the cowpuncher clenched tightly till the muscles of
the jaw stood out like ropes. He would show this man that an American
did not face a firing squad with a whine.

At sight of the captain of cavalry sitting beside Culvera the heart of
Yeager leaped. The long arm of Uncle Sam had reached across the border
in the person of this competent West Pointer. It meant salvation for
Ruth, for his friends, possibly even for himself.

"Captain Girard wants to ask you a few questions," Culvera explained.

Without waiting for questions Yeager spoke. "Do you know that an
American girl is held prisoner here, captain,--that Pasquale was driving
her to a forced marriage when Holcomb shot him to save her?"

Girard turned toward the general, a question in his eyes.

Ramon shrugged his shoulders. "I told you Pasquale was a barbarian. The
trouble is he was a peon. He took what he wanted."

"Her name is Ruth Seymour. She's a fine girl, captain. You'll save her,
of course, and see that she gets home," continued Steve.

"I have the promise of General Culvera to see her and your friends safe
to Arixico," replied Girard.

"You'll ride with them yourself all the way," urged the prisoner.

"No doubt. But, of course, the word of General Culvera--"

"--Is worth what it is worth," Yeager finished for him.

"The man stands in the shadow of death. Let him say what he likes," said
the Mexican contemptuously to the officer beside him.

"You are charged with being a spy, Mr. Yeager. I am told you were
captured in disguise after having plotted to help prisoners escape,"
said Girard.

Yeager nodded quietly. "Technically I am a spy. I came here to try to
save Miss Seymour and my friends. The attempt failed and I was
captured."

"Are you a spy in the sense that you were in the employ of the enemies
of General Pasquale and his armies?"

"No. Culvera understan