e a letter this very day."

Steve turned the square envelope around and weighed it in his hand.

"Am I to read this here _billy doo_?" he wanted to know.

"Yes, sir."

Gravely the old miner opened and read the following:

"Miss Valdes begs to inform Mr. Gordon that she has reason to fear
Mr. Gordon's life is not safe in the present feeling of the
country. Out of regard for her people, whom she would greatly
regret to see in trouble, Miss Valdes would recommend Mr. Gordon to
cut short his pleasure trip to New Mexico. Otherwise Miss Valdes
declines any responsibility for the result."

"Can't be called very affectionate, can it?" was Mr. Davis's comment.
"Ain't it jest a leetle mite--well, like she was writing with a poker
down her back?"

"I didn't say it was affectionate," snorted the young man.

"Oh, I allowed you thought she was in love with you."

"I didn't say or think anything of the kind," protested Dick
indignantly. "I said she hadn't forgotten me."

"Well, she ain't, if that's any comfort."

With which, Mr. Davis handed back the letter. "What did you answer to
the _billy doo_?"

"I said that Mr. Gordon presented his compliments and begged to reply
that he had large business interests in this part of the country that
necessitated a visit of some length, and probably in the end a permanent
residence here; and that he would very fully absolve Miss Valdes of any
responsibility for his remaining."

"Both of you used up a heap of dictionary words; but that wasn't so bad,
either," grinned Steve. "You got back at her, all right, for the
'pleasure trip' part of her letter, but I expect you and she would
disagree as to what that 'permanent residence' means. I hope it won't be
more permanent than you think."

From the rocks above came the sound of an exploding rifle. Dick's hat
was lifted from his head as by a gust of wind. Immediately after they
caught sight of a slim, boyish figure dodging among the rocks.

"There he goes," cried Dick; and he slid from his saddle and took up the
chase.

"Come back. There may be several of them up there," called the old
miner.

Gordon paid no attention; and Steve had nothing left to do but follow
him up the rocky hillside.

"He'll spoil that game leg of his again, first thing he knows," the
old-timer growled as he followed in the rear.

Presently a second shot rang out. Davis hastened forward as fast as he
could.

At the top of the ridge he came on hi