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"Don't be afraid," whispered Kut-le "Nothing can happen to you while I a care of you"

Rhoda looked into his eyes proudly

"I a for a fresh handhold with tre rocks were sharp Kut-le froe saw Rhoda look at her hold then turn white Her nails were torn to the quick and bleeding She swayed with only an ato to send her to death below Instantly Kut-le was back beside her, his sinewy hand between her shoulders, supporting and lifting her to the ledge above As they neared the top the broken surface became prickly with cactus and Rhoda winced with misery as the thorns pierced and tore her flesh But finally, in what actually had been an incredibly short tied on the plateau, where the two squaws huddled high above the pursuers

"They think they have you now!" said Kut-le, as Rhoda dropped panting to the ground "We ate thespell for Rhoda She sat quietly, though her gray eyes were brilliant with excitement It seemed to her but a matter of a few hours nohen she would be with her own Yet she could not but notice with that curious observance of detail which comes at moments of intensest excitement the varied colors of the distances that opened before her The great hty peninsula of chalcedony that stretched into the desert It was patched by rocks of lavender, of yellow, and of green, and belled over by the intensity of theblue above

"Come!" said Kut-le "There will be little rest for us today"

Rhoda rose, took a few staggering steps, then sat down

"I can't start yet," she said "I'm too worn out"

Kut-le's expression was amused while it was impatient

"I suppose you may be sleepy, but I think you can walk a little way Hurry, Rhoda! Hurry!"

Rhoda sat staring cal blue above

"I hate to have you carry me," she said after a !"

Her tired face was irresistibly lovely as she looked up at the Apache, but by an effort he re as you can," he insisted "We have got to hustle today!"

"I really don't feel like hustling!" sighed Rhoda

"Rhoda!" cried Kut-le iet up and walk after !" and he handed his rifle to the brown hag who took it with evident pleasure Molly ran forward as if to protest but at a look from Kut-le she dropped back