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Rh broncho! See for yourself, one false step, and she'll be killed!"

While the girl focussed her glasses upon that speck that flew against the sky, Alan turned to the two horses hobbled nearby, and seizing a saddle threw it over the back of one.

At this the other man strode to his side and dropped a detaining hand upon his arm.

"What are you going to do?" he demanded.

Alan shook the hand off and went on with his self-appointed task.

"Go after her, Tom, of course," he replied. "What else? That animal is crazy, I tell you. Think of being carried that way—all day, perhaps—face up to this brutal sun! She'll go mad if something isn't done"

"You've gone mad yourself already," Mr. Barcus contended darkly. "What's it to you if she does? Suppose you do succeed in rescuing her, what then? As soon as she gets on her pins, she'll try to stick a knife into you, like as not. I suppose you'd like me to call your conduct chivalry? I'll tell you what I call it—lunacy!"

"Don't be an ass," Alan responded temperately, gathering the reins together. "Who warned us yesterday in time to prevent our being crushed by that rock? Judith! Why was she separated from Marrophat and the others—alone up there when that