side, and I may lose my temper ere we reach the gate."

"For the sake of her who rides between us, I beg that you hold in hard,
Monsieur," I answered. "'T would be overmuch to pay, I imagine, for a
hot brain."

I glanced at her as I spoke, scarcely conscious even then that I had
removed my eyes from the threatening mob that pressed me, though I know
I must have done so, for I retain the picture of her yet. She rode
facing me, although her saddle was of the old army type with merely a
folded blanket to soften its sharp contours, and her foot could barely
find firm support within the narrow strap above the wooden stirrup.
She sat erect and easily, swaying gently to the slow step of the horse.
Her face was pale, but there was no evidence of timidity in her dark
eyes, and she smiled at me as our glances met.

"You are surely a brave girl, Mademoiselle!" I exclaimed, unable to
restrain my admiration. "'T is a scene to try any nerves."

"Yet almost worth the danger," she returned softly, "to realize what
men can be in such stress of need. You are the real--Beware of that
half-breed, Monsieur!"

Her last words were a quick warning, yet my eyes were already upon the
fellow, and as he dodged down, knife in hand, to aim a vicious lunge at
the forward leg of her horse, I brought the stock of my rifle crunching
against his shoulder. The next instant we had passed over his naked
body as he lay gasping in the trail.

"See!" she cried, with eagerness. "The gates are opened!"