row everywhere in Arizona."

But the old professor was not to be discouraged so easily. "The
Indians killed some white men and then soldiers came and there was a
massacre--mostly whites."

"There's nothing unusual about that story, Professor Gillette."

"True. But in this case a princess, the daughter of a chief, cursed
her own people for their cruelty. And within a year the tribe at that
village died out. Every man of them."

"Why that's the legend of Lost Canyon!" exclaimed Kit excitedly. "And
does this princess come back and haunt the canyon, does she appear when
anything crooked is being done around that section?"

"Yes, yes, that's the story. Lost Canyon, do you know where Lost
Canyon is?" asked the old man with trembling eagerness.

"Lost Canyon was my playground since babyhood. It's like my front
yard. I love it!"

"How wonderful! Then maybe you know this man." He fumbled in his
pockets, taking out the contents of all of them, before he found the
letter which he handed to Kit. "This is an introduction to a man who
may be very useful to me."

Kit laughed happily as she read the name on the envelope. "Mr. William
Patten." Returning the paper to the professor she said, "I should know
that man well. He's my father!"

"Oh isn't that jolly, Kit!" cried Joy. "Imagine meeting someone who is
on the way to see your father! That's a bit of luck, isn't it?"

"Dad will be very glad to help you," continued Kit.

"What a strange coincidence!" remarked the professor glowing with
pleasure. His boyish smile offset the formal style that might have
bothered the girls. His dark eyes were small and twinkling and he was
so very nearsighted that it was necessary for him to look intently in
order to see anything.

At that moment a loud report startled them. Joy gave a scream of
fright. "What is it?" she cried excitedly. "Indians!"

"Shooting?" exclaimed the professor, half rising in his seat. "Is it a
hold up?" He looked around in all directions. But the desert seemed
devoid of human life.

"It means that we've blown out a tire," smiled Matt as he brought the
car to a stop at the side of the road and got out muttering, "Of all
the ding-busted places to get a flat! Not even a spear of grass for
shade and no water hole nearer than Coyote Creek and that's ten miles
away." Matt puffed as he unstrapped the spare tire and prepared to
jack up the wheel.

The girls stood around, anxious to make themse