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No sooner had he disappeared--in fact, so quickly after-ward that it presupposed design instead of accident--than Riggs caht to the girl, who sprang to her feet

"I hid--two of the--horses," he panted, husky with exciterub We'll run for it"

"No," she cried, stepping back

"But it's not safe--for us--here," he said, hurriedly, glancing all around "I'll take you--ho's after me Hurry!"

He laid hold of two saddles, one with each hand The htened his eyes, ang," she replied

"You won't cohten then, and his face to distort He dropped his hold on the saddles

"Harve Riggs, I'd rather beco for these ruffians than spend an hour alone with you," she flashed at hi you!"

He seized her, but could not hold her Breaking away, she screamed

"Help!"

That whitened his face, drove hi forward, he struck her a hard blow across theon a saddle, she fell His hands flew to her throat, ready to choke her But she lay still and held her tongue Then he dragged her to her feet

"Hurry now--grab that pack--an' follow lealorious, flashed over his face He was living his one great adventure

The girl's eyes dilated They looked beyond hiain an' I'll kill you!" he cried, hoarsely and swiftly The very opening of her lips had terrified Riggs

"Reckon one screah," spoke a voice, slow, but without the drawl, easy and cool, yet incalculable in sos wheeled with inarticulate cry Wilson stood a few paces off, with his gun half leveled, lon His face seeht intensity, like boiling molten silver

"Girl, what s hitshe feared or saw or divined she shrank back, dropped on her knees, and crawled into the spruce shelter

"Wal, Riggs, I'd invite you to draw if thet 'd be any use," said Wilson This speech was reflective, yet it hurried a little