Desert Gold

  To keep closely at Ladd's heels without brushing the cactus or stumbling over rocks and depressions was a task Gale found impossible. After he had been stabbed several times by the bayonetlike spikes, which seemed invisible, the matter of caution became equally one of self-preservation.  Both the cowboys, Dick had observed, wore leather chaps.  It was no easy matter to lead a spirited horse through the dark, winding lanes walled by thorns.  Mercedes horse often balked and had to be coaxed and carefully guided.  Dick concluded that Ladd was making a wide detour.  The position of certain stars grown familiar during the march veered round from one side to another.  Dick saw that the travel was fast, but by no means noiseless.  The pack animals at times crashed and ripped through the narrow places.  It seemed to Gale that any one within a mile could have heard these sounds.  From the tops of knolls or ridges he looked back, trying to locate the mesas where the light had danced and the dog had barked alarm.  He could not distinguish these two rocky eminences from among many rising in the background.

  Presently Ladd let out into a wider lane that appeared to run straight.  The cowboy mounted his horse, and this fact convinced Gale that they had circled back to the road.  The march proceeded then once more at a good, steady, silent walk.  When Dick consulted his watch he was amazed to see that the hour was till early.  How much had happened in little time!  He now began to be aware that the night was growing colder; and, strange to him, he felt something damp that in a country he knew he would have recognized as dew. He had not been aware there was dew on the desert.  The wind blew stronger, the stars shone whiter, the sky grew darker, and the moon climbed toward the zenith.  The road stretched level for miles, then crossed arroyos and ridges, wound between mounds of broken ruined rock, found a level again, and then began a long ascent. Dick asked Mercedes if she was cold, and she answered that she was, speaking especially of her feet, which were growing numb. Then she asked to be helped down to walk awhile.  At first she was cold and lame, and accepted the helping hand Dick proffered.  After a little, however, she recovered and went on without assistance. Dick could scarcely believe his eyes, as from time to time he stole a sidelong glance at this silent girl, who walked with lithe and rapid stride.  She was wrapped in his long coat, yet it did not hide her slender grace.  He could not see her face, which was concealed by the black mantle.

  A low-spoken word from Ladd recalled Gale to the question of surroundings and of possible dangers.  Ladd had halted a few yards ahead.  They had reached the summit of what was evidently a high ridge which sloped with much greater steepness on the far side. It was only after a few more forward steps, however, that Dick could see down the slope.  Then full in view flashed a bright campfire around which clustered a group of dark figures.  They were encamped in a wide arroyo, where horses could be seen grazing in black patches of grass between clusters of trees.  A second look at the campers told Gale they were Mexicans.  At this moment Lash came forward to join Ladd, and the two spend a long, uninterrupted moment studying the arroyo.  A hoarse laugh, faint yet distinct, floated up on the cool wind.

  "Well, Laddy, what're you makin' of that outfit?" inquired Lash, speaking softly.

  "Same as any of them raider outfits," replied Ladd.  "They're across the line for beef.  But they'll run off any good stock.  As hoss thieves these rebels have got 'em all beat.  That outfit is waitin' till it's late.  There's a ranch up the arroyo."

  Gale heard the first speaker curse under his breath.

  "Shore, I feel the same," said Ladd.  "But we've got a girl an' the young man to look after, not to mention our pack outfit. An' we're huntin' for a job, not a fight, old hoss.  Keep on your chaps!"

  "Nothin' to it but head south for the Rio Forlorn."

  "You're talkin' sense now, Jim.  I wish we'd headed that way long ago.  But it ain't strange I'd want to travel away from the border, thinkin' of the girl.  Jim, we can't go round this Greaser outfit an' strike the road again.  Too rough.  So we'll have to give up gettin' to San Felipe."

  "Perhaps it's just as well, Laddy.  Rio Forlorn is on the border line, but it's country where these rebels ain't been yet."

  "Wait till they learn of the oasis an' Beldin's hosses!" exclaimed Laddy.  "I'm not anticipatin' peace anywhere along the border, Jim.  but we can't go ahead; we can't go back."

  "What'll we do, Laddy"  It's a hike to Beldin's ranch.  An' if we get there in daylight some Greaser will see the girl before Beldin' can hide her.  It'll get talked about.  The news'll travel to Casita like sage balls before the wind."