Casita shore would be a
little warm for us to-morrow. We didn't kill anybody, but I shot
a Greaser's arm off, an' Lash strained friendly relations by destroyin'
property. We know people who'll take care of the senorita till
your friend can come for her."
Dick warmly spoke his gratefulness, and, inexpressibly relieved and
happy for Mercedes, he went toward the clump of cactus where he had
left her. She stood erect, waiting, and, dark as it was, he could
tell she had lost the terror that had so shaken her.
"Senor Gale, you are my good angel," she said, tremulously.
"I've been lucky to fall in with these men, and I'm glad with all
my heart," he replied. "Come."
He led her into the road up to the cowboys, who now stood bareheaded
in the starlight. They seemed shy, and Lash was silent while Ladd
made embarrassed, unintelligible reply to Mercedes's's thanks.
There were five horses--two saddled, two packed, and the remaining
one carried only a blanket. Ladd shortened the stirrups on his
mount, and helped Mercedes up into the saddle. From the way she
settled herself and took the few restive prances of the mettlesome
horse Gale judged that she could ride. Lash urged Gale to take his
horse. But this Gale refused to do.
"I'll walk," he said. "I'm used to walking. I know cowboys are not."
They tried again to persuade him, without avail. Then Ladd started off,
riding bareback. Mercedes fell in behind, with Gale walking beside her.
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