, approximating the
distance between himself and the outer doorway. Card-games were
resumed as before when a figure filled the doorway. Pete's hand slid
slowly to his hip. His fingers stiffened, then relaxed, as he got to
his feet.

It was Boca--alone, and smiling in the soft glow of lamplight. The
Spider hobbled from behind the bar. Some one called a laughing
greeting. "It's Boca, boys! We'll sure cut loose to-night! When Boca
comes to town the bars is down!"

Pete heard--and anger and surprise darkened his face. These men seemed
to know Boca too well. One of them had risen, leaving his card-game,
and was shaking hands with her. Another asked her to sing "La Paloma."
Even The Spider seemed gracious to her. Pete, leaning against the
doorway of the patio, stared at her as though offended by her presence.
She nodded to him and smiled. He raised his hat awkwardly. Boca read
jealousy in his eye. She was happy. She wanted him to care. "I
brought your saddle, senor," she said, nodding again. The men laughed,
turning to glance at Pete. Still Pete did not quite realize the
significance of her coming. "Thanks," he said abruptly.

Boca deliberately turned her back on him and talked with The Spider.
She was hurt, and a little angry. Surely she had been his good friend.
Was Pete so stupid that he did not realize why she had ridden to
Showdown?

The Spider, who had just learned why she was there, called to his
Mexican, who presently set a table in the patio. Slowly it dawned on
Pete that Boca had made a long ride--that she must be tired and hungry.
He felt ashamed of himself. She had been a friend to him when he
sorely needed a friend. And of course these men knew her. No doubt
they had seen her often at the Flores rancho. She had brought his
saddle back--which meant that she had found the buckskin, riderless,
and fearing that something serious had happened, had caught up the pony
and ridden to Showdown, alone, and no doubt against the wishes of her
father and mother. It was mighty fine of her! He had never realized
that girls did such things. Well, doggone it! he would let her know
that he was mighty proud to have such a pardner!

The Spider hobbled to the patio and placed a chair for Boca, who
brushed past Pete as though he had not been there.

"That's right!" laughed Pete. "But say, Boca, what made _me_ sore was
the way them hombres out there got fresh, joshin' you and askin' you to
sing, jes