road which was hard packed and smooth from the tracks of
cattle. He doubted not that he had come across one of the roads
used by border raiders. He headed into it, and had scarcely
traveled a mile when, turning a curve, he came point-blank upon
a single horseman riding toward him. Both riders wheeled their
mounts sharply and were ready to run and shoot back. Not more
than a hundred paces separated them. They stood then for a
moment watching each other.

"Mawnin', stranger," called the man, dropping his hand from his
hip.

"Howdy," replied Duane, shortly.

They rode toward each other, closing half the gap, then they
halted again.

"I seen you ain't no ranger," called the rider, "an' shore I
ain't none."

He laughed loudly, as if he had made a joke.

"How'd you know I wasn't a ranger?" asked Duane, curiously.
Somehow he had instantly divined that his horseman was no
officer, or even a rancher trailing stolen stock.

"Wal," said the fellow, starting his horse forward at a walk,
"a ranger'd never git ready to run the other way from one man."

He laughed again. He was small and wiry, slouchy of attire, and