de, the presentiment of evil increased, and she grew
nervous with a conviction that she would not be able to reach the Rancho
Seco much in advance of the men. For she could see them more clearly now,
because they were in the valley, traveling a shelving trail that sloped
down from the hills toward the level that stretched to the ranchhouse.

It was several miles from where she rode to the point where the horsemen
were riding, and she was traversing a long ridge which must have revealed
her to the men if they looked toward her.

She had thought--after she had left the promontory--of concealing herself
somewhere in the valley, to wait until she discovered who the men were
and what their errand was; but she had a fear that if the men were
Deveny's outlaws they might return up the valley and accidentally come
upon her. Also, she had yielded to the homing instinct which is strong in
all living beings, for at home was safety that could not be found
elsewhere.

The South Trail, she knew, converged with the valley trail at the edge of
the level. If she could reach that point a few minutes before the
horsemen reached it she would rely on Billy to maintain his lead. Billy
would have to maintain it!

Leaning far over Billy's mane she urged him on, coaxing him, flattering
him, calling to him in terms of endearment. And the loyal little animal
did his best, running as he had never run before.

Barbara though, watching the horsemen with eyes into which there had come
a glow of doubt, began to realize that Billy was losing the race. Also,
by the time she had gone four or five miles, she discovered that the men
had seen her. For the trails were growing close together now--not more
than half a mile of slightly broken country stretched between them, and
she could see the men waving their hats; could hear their voices above
the whir and clatter of Billy's passing.

Still, she was determined to win, and Billy's flanks felt the sting of
the quirt that, hitherto, had swung from Barbara's wrist.

Billy revealed a marvelous burst of speed. But it did not last, and the
horsemen, after hanging for an instant abreast of Billy, began to forge
ahead.

The courageous little animal had almost reached the covert that Harlan
had discovered the day he had visited the Star the first time, and was
nobly answering the stern urge of the quirt when another horseman
suddenly appeared on the trail directly ahead of the girl, seemingly
having ridden ou