nswer.

"You see, Miss----"

Van cut in abruptly.

"Never mind, Dave; this isn't your pie." To Beth he added: "If you've
brought any particularly appropriate garments for riding, suppose you
retire for preparations. Dave will tote the bags inside the house."

"You bet I will!" said Dave, who, as Elsa rose, took suitcase and all
in one load.

Beth hesitated. The horseman had started already for the stable at the
rear. How superbly straight was his figure! What a confident,
impudent grace beset him as he moved! How could it be possible for
such a man to be other than a gentleman--no matter where he was found?
Some strange little thrill of excitement and love of adventure stirred
in the girl's full veins. Resistance was useless. Come what might,
she was helpless in the hands of this man--and he seemed a person to be
trusted.

"Come, Elsa," she said, bravely deciding to face whatsoever might
arise. "You may wear the second of my skirts."

Fifteen minutes later, therefore, she and her maid emerged from the
shack attired in brown cloth, and kahki, respectively, her own skirt
long and graceful, while Elsa's was shorter and divided. Aside or
cross-saddle Beth was equally at home upon a horse--or always had been,
in the parks.

Van and Dave now returned, leading two extra ponies from the stable.
One was a bay, accoutered with a man's deep Mexican saddle, whereon was
secured a coiled lasso; the other was a wiry little roan mare, with a
somewhat decrepit but otherwise sound side-saddle tightly cinched upon
her back.

"Our stable chamberlain has slipped a cog on the outfits for ladies
recently," said Van apologetically, "but I reckon these will have to
do."

Beth looked the two mounts over uncritically. They seemed to be
equally matched, as to general characteristics, since neither appeared
either strong or plump. She said:

"Shall we ride very far?"

"No, just a pleasant little jog," replied the horseman. "They call it
forty miles to Goldite by the ridge, but it isn't an inch over thirty."

Thirty miles!--over the mountains!--with an unknown man and her maid!
Beth suppressed a gasp of despair and astonishment, not to mention
trepidation, by making an effort that verged upon the heroic.

"But we--we can never arrive in Goldite tonight!" she said. "We can't
expect to, can we?"

"It takes more than that to kill these bronchos," Van cheerfully
assured her. "I can only guarantee that the horses will