l not likely be before to-morrow."

The women of the house might have gotten some sleep that night, but it
was certain the men did not get any. Morning broke cold and gray, the
19th of February. Breakfast was prepared earlier than usual, and an
air of suppressed waiting excitement pervaded the place. Otherwise the
ordinary details of the morning's work continued as on any other day.
Ladd came in hungry and cold, and said the Mexicans were not breaking
camp. He reported a good-sized force of rebels, and was taciturn as to
his idea of forthcoming events.

About an hour after sunrise Yaqui ran in with the information that part
of the rebels were crossing the river.

"That can't mean a fight yet," declared Belding. "But get in the
house, boys, and make ready anyway. I'll meet them."

"Drive them off the place same as if you had a company of soldiers
backin' you," said Ladd. "Don't give them an inch. We're in bad, and
the bigger bluff we put up the more likely our chance."

"Belding, you're an officer of the United States. Mexicans are much
impressed by show of authority. I've seen that often in camp," said
Thorne.

"Oh, I know the white-livered Greasers better than any of you, don't
mistake me," replied Belding. He was pale with rage, but kept command
over himself.

The rangers, with Yaqui and Thorne, stationed themselves at the several
windows of the sitting-room. Rifles and smaller arms and boxes of
shells littered the tables and window seats. No small force of
besiegers could overcome a resistance such as Belding and his men were
capable of making.

"Here they come, boys," called Gale, from his window.

"Rebel-raiders I should say, Laddy."

"Shore. An' a fine outfit of buzzards!"

"Reckon there's about a dozen in the bunch," observed the calm Lash.
"Some hosses they're ridin'. Where 'n the hell do they get such
hosses, anyhow?"

"Shore, Jim, they work hard an' buy 'em with real silver pesos,"
replied Ladd, sarcastically.

"Do any of you see Rojas?" whispered Thorne.

"Nix. No dandy bandit in that outfit."

"It's too far to see," said Gale.

The horsemen halted at the corrals. They were orderly and showed no
evidence of hostility. They were, however, fully armed. Belding
stalked out to meet them. Apparently a leader wanted to parley with
him, but Belding would hear nothing. He shook his head, waved his
arms, stamped to and fro, and his loud, angry voice could be heard
clear back