The Nevada County picayune., 1923-02-15

Upon the following morning. Ten miles or more up the sloW-aScent.iug lava slope, Gale WAS in the. of all the other horses. so as =to take, for Mercedes sake, the advantage Of the broken trail. YaGui was leading Diablo winding around a break. His head was bent as he stepped slowly and unevenly upon the lava. Gale turned to look back, the first time in several days He thought. of course of Rojas in certain pursuit; but it seemed absurd to look for him.
 Yaqul led on. and Gale often glanced up from his task to watch the Indian. Presently he saw him stop, turn, and look back. Ladd did likewise, and then Jim and Thorne. Gale found the desire irresistible Thereafter he often rested Blaneo Sol and looked back the while. He had his field glass. but did not choose to use it.
 'Rojas will follow" said Mercedes.
 Gale regarded her in amaze. The tone of her voice had been indetinable. If there were fear then he failed To detect it. She was gazing back down the colored slope and something about her, perhaps the steady, falcon gaze of her magnificent eyes. reminded him of Yaqui
 Masy times during the ensuing hour the Indian faced about, and always his followers did likewise. It was high noon. with the sun beating hot and the lava radiating heat. when Iaqui halted for a rest. The horses punched and dropped their heads. The rangers were about to slip the packs and re- move saddles when Yaqui restrained them.
 He fixed a changeleSs, gleaming gaze on the slow descent; but did not seem 10 look afar.
 Suddenly he uttered his strange cry-the one Gale considered inv0lun- tary. or else significant of some tribal trait or feeling. Yaqui pointed down the lava slope pointing with finger and arm and neck and head-his whole being seemed to have been ani- mated and then frozen.
 "Shore he sees semethln'." said Iadd But my eyes are no good"
 'I reckon I ain't sure of mine re- piled Jim. "I'm bothered hy a dim movin' streak down there.'
 Thorne gazed eagerly down as he stood beside Mercedes who sat mo tlonless facing the slope, Gale locked and looked till he hurt his eyes. Then he took his glass out of its ease on Sol's saddle.
 There appeared 10 be nothing upon the lava hut the innumeratle dots of choya shining in the sun. Gale swept his glass slowly forward and hack Then into nearer field of vision crept long white-and-hlacl. line of horses and men Without a word he handed the glass to Iadd The ranger used It. mutterlng to himself
 "rhey're on the la.a fifteen miles down in an air line" he said present. ly. "Jm. shore they're twice that an more occordln' to the trail"
 Jim had his lool, and renlied: T recton were a day an night in the lead"
 "Is it Rolas?" buest out Lborne with set jaw.
 "Nes. Thorne It's Roias and a dozen or more" replied Gale. and he looked up at Mercedes.
 She was transformed. She might have been a medieval princess em- hodylng all the Spanish power and passion of that time breathing re- venge hate unqnenohahle spirit of fire. If her beauty had heen wonder ful in her helpless ard appealing mo- ments. .ow. when she looked back whte-faced and name-eyed II was transcendent
 Gale drew long deep breath The strife, blood on this somher desert returned to him teafold He saw Thornes face corded hY black veins and his teeth exposed like those of a snarlinc wolf The rangers who had coouy riSked death many times, and had dealt it often. were ,vEite as no fear or pain could have made them. Then, on the moment, Yaqul raised his hand not clenched ST doubled tight. but curled rigid like an eagles claw :: and he shook it in strange. slow geS- ture which was menacing and terrible.
 It was the woman that called to the cepths of these men. And their pas sion to Kiln and to save was surpassed only by the wild hate which was vet love. the unfathomahle emotion of a peon slave Gale maryeled al it. while he felt his whole being cold aoG