head. Her first
thought was that it must be one of the fire fighters, driven like
herself to safety, but a second glance revealed George Drazk. For
a moment she had an impulse to wheel and ride out, but even as she
smothered that impulse a tinge of color rose in her cheeks that she
should for a moment have entertained it. To let George Drazk think she
was afraid of him would be utmost humiliation.

She continued straight down the stream, but he had already seen her and
was headed her way. In the excitement of what he had just done Drazk was
less responsible than usual.

"Hello, Zen!" he said. "Mighty decent of you to ride down an' meet me
like this. Mighty decent, Zen!"

"I didn't ride down to meet you, Drazk, and you know it. Keep out of the
way or I'll use a whip on you!"

"Oh, how haughty! Y.D. all over! Never mind, dear, I like you all the
better for that. Who wants a tame horse? An' as for comin' down to meet
me, what's the odds, so long as we've met?"

He had turned his horse and blocked the way in front of her. When Zen's
horse came within reach Drazk caught him by the bridle.

"Will you let go?" the girl said, speaking as calmly as she could, but
in a white passion. "Will you let go of that bridle, or shall I make
you?"

He looked her full in the face. "Gad, but you're a stunner!" he
exclaimed. "I'm glad we met--here."

She brought her whip with a biting cut around the wrist that held her
bridle. Drazk winced, but did not let go.

"Jus' for that, young Y.D.," he hissed, "jus' for that we drop all
formalities, so to speak."

With a dexterous spurring he brought his horse alongside and threw an
arm about Zen before she could beat him off. She used her whip at short
range on his face, but had not arm-room in which to land a blow. They
were stirrup-deep in water, and as they struggled the horses edged in
deeper still. Finding that she could not beat Drazk off Zen clutched
her saddle and drove the spurs into her horse. At this unaccustomed
treatment he plunged wildly forward, but Drazk's grip on her was too
strong to be broken. The manoeuvre had, however, the effect of unhorsing
Drazk. He fell in the water, but kept his grip on Zen. With his free
hand he still had the reins of his own horse, and he managed also to
get hold of hers. Although her horse was plunging and jumping, Drazk's
strong grip on his rein kept him from breaking away.

"You fight well, Zen, damn you--you fight well," he cried. "So you