er equals in the sight
of the world were without the only great essential that a lonely, hard
life had given to Stewart. Nature here struck a just balance. Something
deep and dim in the future, an unknown voice, called to Madeline and
disturbed her. And because it was not a voice to her intelligence she
deadened the ears of her warm and throbbing life and decided never to
listen.

"Is it safe to rest a little?" she asked. "I am so tired. Perhaps I'll
be stronger if I rest."

"We're all right now," he said. "The horse will be better, too. I ran
him out. And uphill, at that."

"Where are we?"

"Up in the mountains, ten miles and more from the ranch. There's a trail
just below here. I can get you home by midnight. They'll be some worried
down there."

"What happened?"

"Nothing much to any one but you. That's the--the hard luck of it.
Florence caught us out on the slope. We were returning from the fire. We
were dead beat. But we got to the ranch before any damage was done. We
sure had trouble in finding a trace of you. Nick spotted the prints of
your heels under the window. And then we knew. I had to fight the boys.
If they'd come after you we'd never have gotten you without a fight. I
didn't want that. Old Bill came out packing a dozen guns. He was crazy.
I had to rope Monty. Honest, I tied him to the porch. Nels and Nick
promised to stay and hold him till morning. That was the best I could
do. I was sure lucky to come up with the band so soon. I had figured
right. I knew that guerrilla chief. He's a bandit in Mexico. It's a
business with him. But he fought for Madero, and I was with him a good
deal. He may be a Greaser, but he's white."

"How did you effect my release?"

"I offered them money. That's what the rebels all want. They need money.
They're a lot of poor, hungry devils."

"I gathered that you offered to pay ransom. How much?"

"Two thousand dollars Mex. I gave my word. I'll have to take the money.
I told them when and where I'd meet them."

"Certainly. I'm glad I've got the money." Madeline laughed. "What a
strange thing to happen to me! I wonder what dad would say to that?
Stewart, I'm afraid he'd say two thousand dollars is more than I'm
worth. But tell me. That rebel chieftain did not demand money?"

"No. The money is for his men."

"What did you say to him? I saw you whisper in his ear."

Stewart dropped his head, averting her direct gaze.

"We were comrades before Juarez. One day I drag