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42 Serena hung the receiver on the hook and smiled again as she glanced at Martha, sitting on the cracker box. Neither of the girls spoke during the half-hour of waiting. Their fathers had both gone home, leaving them there to receive the calls from the horseman. But when that important individual reached Red Cañon he did not go to the telephone. He merely sent word by a messenger to the telephone office to ring up the Sierra Springs agent and tell him to say to Mr. Capp and Mr. Hazlitt that he would keep the horse there ready for them until the next morning. If either gentleman wished the animal all he had to do was to bring or send the money. He could not give them any further time, for he was in a hurry. The one who placed the money in his hands first should have the horse. When the agent told Serena and Martha this they stared at each other.

"Well," said Martha, "I think that's unfair. We made our offer first."

"Oh," said Serena, "it's fair enough. He'd said what he'd do."

"I know he did," replied Martha, "and it's mean of him."

The girls ran home and told their fathers. Mr. Capp had the money ready, but he did not wish to drive twenty miles to Red Cañon and back again.

"Let me go," said Martha. "I can ride Kit down and Alexis back. Kit leads all right."

"Wal," said Mr. Capp, "you're a great wheedler anyway, Marthy. But suppose Hazlitt gets there first?"

"He won't," grimly replied Martha, shutting her teeth very tight. She took the money hastily, saddled Kittie and was away down the cañon as fast as her "slow poke" could go.

She had not gone three miles before she heard hoofs beating behind her, and soon Serena shot past with a little cry of triumph, to which was added, "You might as well go back, Martha. That horse is ours!"

Martha, much dejected, let Kittie fall into a jog-trot. Her eyes were downcast and there were tears in them. That beautiful pinto horse would have to be given up and all because of her old "slow poke."

Of a sudden her face lighted up and determination spread itself over it. The flume! It ran straight and swift. It was shorter