letter. You ought to have seen her eyes. If ever you see
a black-and-white desert hawk swoop down upon a quail, then you'll know
how Mercedes pounced upon her letter... Well, Casita is one hell of a
place these days. I tried to get your baggage, and I think I made a
mistake. We're going to see travel toward Forlorn River. The federal
garrison got reinforcements from somewhere, and is holding out.
There's been fighting for three days. The rebels have a string of flat
railroad cars, all iron, and they ran this up within range of the
barricades. They've got some machine guns, and they're going to lick
the federals sure. There are dead soldiers in the ditches, Mexican
non-combatants lying dead in the streets--and buzzards everywhere! It's
reported that Campo, the rebel leader, is on the way up from Sinaloa,
and Huerta, a federal general, is coming to relieve the garrison. I
don't take much stock in reports. But there's hell in Casita, all
right."

"Do you think we'll have trouble out here?" asked Dick, excitedly.

"Sure. Some kind of trouble sooner or later," replied Belding,
gloomily. "Why, you can stand on my ranch and step over into Mexico.
Laddy says we'll lose horses and other stock in night raids. Jim Lash
doesn't look for any worse. But Jim isn't as well acquainted with
Greasers as I am. Anyway, my boy, as soon as you can hold a bridle and
a gun you'll be on the job, don't mistake me."

"With Laddy and Jim?" asked Dick, trying to be cool.

"Sure. With them and me, and by yourself."

Dick drew a deep breath, and even after Belding had departed he forgot
for a moment about the letter in his hand. Then he unfolded the paper
and read:

Dear Dick,--You've more than saved my life. To the end of my days
you'll be the one man to whom I owe everything. Words fail to express
my feelings.

This must be a brief note. Belding is waiting, and I used up most of
the time writing to Mercedes. I like Belding. He was not unknown to
me, though I never met or saw him before. You'll be interested to
learn that he's the unadulterated article, the real Western goods.
I've heard of some of his stunts, and they made my hair curl. Dick,
your luck is staggering. The way Belding spoke of you was great. But
you deserve it, old man.

I'm leaving Mercedes in your charge, subject, of course, to advice from
Belding. Take care of her, Dick, for my life is wrapped up in her. By
all means keep her from being seen by