tions, but in case of the success of the
irrigation project the idea was to increase their squatter holdings by
purchase of more land down the valley. A hundred families had lately
moved to Forlorn River; more were coming all the time; and Belding
vowed he could see a vision of the whole Altar Valley green with farms.

Meanwhile everybody in Belding's household, except the quiet Ladd and
the watchful Yaqui, in the absence of disturbance of any kind along the
border, grew freer and more unrestrained, as if anxiety was slowly
fading in the peace of the present. Jim Lash made a trip to the
Sonoyta Oasis, and Ladd patrolled fifty miles of the line eastward
without incident or sight of raiders. Evidently all the border hawks
were in at the picking of Casita.

The February nights were cold, with a dry, icy, penetrating coldness
that made a warm fire most comfortable. Belding's household usually
congregated in the sitting-room, where burning mesquite logs crackled
in the open fireplace. Belding's one passion besides horses was the
game of checkers, and he was always wanting to play. On this night he
sat playing with Ladd, who never won a game and never could give up
trying. Mrs. Belding worked with her needle, stopping from time to
time to gaze with thoughtful eyes into the fire. Jim Lash smoked his
pipe by the hearth and played with the cat on his knee. Thorne and
Mercedes were at the table with pencil and paper; and he was trying his
best to keep his attention from his wife's beautiful, animated face
long enough to read and write a little Spanish. Gale and Nell sat in a
corner watching the bright fire.

There came a low knock on the door. It may have been an ordinary
knock, for it did not disturb the women; but to Belding and his rangers
it had a subtle meaning.

"Who's that?" asked Belding, as he slowly pushed back his chair and
looked at Ladd.

"Yaqui," replied the ranger.

"Come in," called Belding.

The door opened, and the short, square, powerfully built Indian
entered. He had a magnificent head, strangely staring, somber black
eyes, and very darkly bronzed face. He carried a rifle and strode with
impressive dignity.

"Yaqui, what do you want?" asked Belding, and repeated his question in
Spanish.

"Senor Dick," replied the Indian.

Gale jumped up, stifling an exclamation, and he went outdoors with
Yaqui. He felt his arm gripped, and allowed himself to be led away
without asking a question. Y