aqui's presence was always one of gloom,
and now his stern action boded catastrophe. Once clear of trees he
pointed to the level desert across the river, where a row of campfires
shone bright out of the darkness.

"Raiders!" ejaculated Gale.

Then he cautioned Yaqui to keep sharp lookout, and, hurriedly returning
to the house, he called the men out and told them there were rebels or
raiders camping just across the line.

Ladd did not say a word. Belding, with an oath, slammed down his cigar.

"I knew it was too good to last.... Dick, you and Jim stay here while
Laddy and I look around."

Dick returned to the sitting-room. The women were nervous and not to
be deceived. So Dick merely said Yaqui had sighted some lights off in
the desert, and they probably were campfires. Belding did not soon
return, and when he did he was alone, and, saying he wanted to consult
with the men, he sent Mrs. Belding and the girls to their rooms. His
gloomy anxiety had returned.

"Laddy's gone over to scout around and try to find out who the outfit
belongs to and how many are in it," said Belding.

"I reckon if they're raiders with bad intentions we wouldn't see no
fires," remarked Jim, calmly.

"It 'd be useless, I suppose, to send for the cavalry," said Gale.
"Whatever's coming off would be over before the soldiers could be
notified, let alone reach here."

"Hell, fellows! I don't look for an attack on Forlorn River," burst
out Belding. "I can't believe that possible. These rebel-raiders have
a little sense. They wouldn't spoil their game by pulling U. S.
soldiers across the line from Yuma to El Paso. But, as Jim says, if
they wanted to steal a few horses or cattle they wouldn't build fires.
I'm afraid it's--"

Belding hesitated and looked with grim concern at the cavalryman.

"What?" queried Thorne.

"I'm afraid it's Rojas."

Thorne turned pale but did not lose his nerve.

"I thought of that at once. If true, it'll be terrible for Mercedes
and me. But Rojas will never get his hands on my wife. If I can't
kill him, I'll kill her!... Belding, this is tough on you--this risk we
put upon your family. I regret--"

"Cut that kind of talk," replied Belding, bluntly. "Well, if it is
Rojas he's acting damn strange for a raider. That's what worries me.
We can't do anything but wait. With Laddy and Yaqui out there we won't
be surprised. Let's take the best possible view of the situation until
we know more. That'l