"You seem to understand horses," she commented.
"I was raised among 'em," he said. "Like dawgs, they know their friends." He coiled his rope, and got into his own saddle. "An' where now?"
"I'm going to look for my hat--it fell off," she replied, but when he offered to help she shook her head. "You have done enough, and I shall remember, but we part here."
"For good?" he queried.
"Quien saber'" She smiled. "Fate, having brought us together so dramatically, must mean us to meet again."
He clasped the firm, gloved hand she extended and turned his horse southwards. It was only when she had vanished among the trees that he remembered she had not told him her name--the brand on the pony was his only clue to her identity. Cursing himself for a bonehead, he retraced his steps to the plain, where he soon met Frosty.
"Thought I heard a shot," that young man greeted."'Yu did--ran into a mountain lion.
"Git him?"
"Yeah," Sudden replied. "Anybody own a B D iron around here?"
"No, an' we don't usually brand our lions neither," was the flippant answer.
"Nor yore jackasses--at least, I ain't noticed yu wearin' one," Sudden returned pleasantly.
It was some time later that, without even a warning chuckle, Frosty emitted a bellow of laughter which sent both their mounts into the air, and it was some moments before they could convince the startled animals that the end of the world had not arrived. Even Nigger, who would stand like a rock when a pistol was discharged by his ear, was not proof against that explosive shriek of merriment. When quiet had been restored, Sudden looked disgustedly at the cause of the trouble.
"What's the idea, yu snowy-pated pie-eater, tryin' to bust our necks thataway?" he demanded.
"I just remembered somethin'," the culprit spluttered, suppressing a second outburst with difficulty.
"Must be a helluva joke if yu've on'y just seen it."
"Shore is," his friend grinned. "Might them letters, B D, stand for `Bewitchin' Damsel'?" Getting no response, he went on, "She's a good-looker all right, but so is a cactus or a cougar an' they're safer to have truck with."
Sudden spoke to his steed. "Don't yu never eat locoweed, ol' hoss, now yu see what it does. Here's a fella who looks a'most intelligent at times, an'--"
"Quit joshin', Jim," Frosty broke in. "B D means Belle Dalroy, an' her address is Hell City. Come clean."
Whereupon Sudden told his adventure, which drew a long whistle from his companion. "She's reputed to be hand and glove with Satan an' as cold-blooded as a frawg," he said.
"She seemed very grateful; might be useful if ever we go visitin' there."
"If ever we go? Leave me out, cowboy; I'd as soon try the real place."
"Oh, I dunno; it'd be kind o' interestin'."
"Yeah, Scar an' his crew would make it that for yu."
He got no reply; Sudden's mind was busy with the woman, wondering what had brought her to this refuge of the reckless. Was she, too, in hiding? It was more than possible, for with all her beauty, he had sensed a hardness which told of contacts with a world which had not been too kind. He became aware that Frosty was speaking.
"If I hear o' yu tryin' to go there alone, yu an' me'll take the floor together."
At which Sudden laughed and was well content.
The guard at the entrance to Hell City did not keep Belle Dalroy waiting, the ponderous gate swinging back as she reached it. With a smile of thanks she passed through and rode to the Chief's quarters. Here again she encountered no difficulty; even before she knocked, the door opened. She passed the dwarf with a mere glance and failed to see the look of desire in the animal eyes.
The Chief was standing at one of the deep, curtained openings which did duty as windows, from which could be seen a considerable portion of the great basin. Less than a dozen miles distant, to the east, lay the settlement of Dugout. From the windows themselves, the cliff face fell, almost vertically, to the tree-tops a hundred feet below.
"Did you have a nice ride, Belle?" he asked.
"yes, and no," she replied. "I wish you wouldn't wear that hideous disguise when I come to visit you."
Her petulance appeared to amuse him. "Hideous?" he repeated. "I think it rather intriguing, and--as I am tired' of telling you--I have made a vow. And it is useful to me; the unknown fascinates the ignorant and keeps them interested; you know, one can weary of even the most lovely things, and it is a theory of mine that if married couples wore masks there would be fewer unhappy unions."
The quaint suggestion made her smile. "If I thought you were serious, Jeff, I would get one," she replied.
Instantly his humour changed. "I think I referred to married couples," he retorted crushingly, and laughed at the furious look the reminder evoked. "Ah, now you are angry--a beautiful wild-cat, who would use her claws--if she dared."
The pale blue eyes challenged her; they had, at times, the curious quality of appearing to be dead, expressionless, as though made of stone. The girl was silent, held by the un-winking gaze of those lifeless orbs.
"Where did you ride?" he asked.
"South, through the gorges, to a high, flat-topped hill. I don't know the name."
"Battle Mesa," he told her. "Many years ago, the Hopi Indian tribe which dwelt in these commodious but somewhat incomplete apartments was almost exterminated there by Apaches--hence the name. Foolish of them to fight in the open--this rock stronghold is impregnable."
"You are very sure of yourself, Jeff, but one day the Governor will move," she said.
"When he does I shall know of it, and all his plans," he boasted. "You do not believe me. Listen: didn't I warn you that the mountain lion could be dangerous? Well, you know now that it is so. But for the advent of a stranger the coyotes would be wrangling over your broken bones at the foot of the Mesa cliff."
"You saw?" she cried in amazement.
"I have not been out of this place," he replied. "Yet I watched your pony, crazy with fear, carrying you to destruction. Luckily, a tall, dark cowboy, on a black horse, arrived in time to rope your mount and shoot the beast pursuing you. A capable fellow, that Mister Green, of the Double K."
The completeness of his information struck her dumb. She did not doubt him, for she knew how seldom he went abroad. It was incredible--and disturbing.
"I trust you did not tell him anything about yourself?" he continued.
"You should know," she answered.
"I do," he said quietly. "You even refused his escort, which was wise. I only asked--"
"To see if I would lie to you," she cut in passionately. "Precisely," he confessed. "I have faith in none, save, perhaps, Silver, who would die rather than betray me."
"A mere brute."
"True, but one who, at a word from me, would tear you to shreds," he replied. "Now, I must find a way to thank this man who has put me in his debt." The sneering smile expressed anything but gratitude. "In future, you must not ride alone--it is too dangerous."
"Life here is so damned dull, Jeff," she urged. "One might as well be--"
"In a penitentiary, were you about to say?" he enquired icily.
The blood left her cheeks and she said no more.
Chapter IX
A week passed and life on the Double K ranch pursued the even tenor of its way. The two punchers continued to patrol the northern boundary, but encountered no further sign of rustlers. Twice Sudden climbed again to Battle Mesa. His explanation to his companion--received with profane disbelief--was that the lady might give information of use when it came to an open clash with Hell City.
"Just wastin' yore time," Frosty said. "If she's Satan's woman, she'll be talkin' on his side; yu'll on'y get lies."