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this wash intvrcepted the trail farther along. Bowdrie chose to follow Chiquita:up the steep opposite bank.
    She rode straight on as though to t goal, and Chick had an idea of whom she planned to meet.
    They rode for nearly an hour; then a faint glimmer of firelight showed. By now they were in a' remote region of canyons and weird rock formations where such a fire could not be seen for any distance. Bowdrie, following warily, glimpsed it only occasionally when he topped out on high ground or when the rocks stood apart to offer greater visibility. Chiquita rode directly to the fire and slid from her horse.
    Bowdrie studied the terrain. What had become of the rider []who followed her? Had that rider realized Bowdrie was behind them?
    Tying the roan to a mesquite bush, he crept through the cacti and mesquite until he could, from behind a rock, overlook the situation.
    The young Mexican who held the girl in his arms could only be a henchman of Zaparo's.
    They were talking in Spanish but the air was clear and Bowdrie was close enough to hear every word.
    "It is what you feared," she was saying. "Something has happened! Zaparo is dead!
    All of them are dead! They were attacked by other outlaws and killed! All of them!"
    "Zaparo? But how? Who could have known their way?"
    "The gringo with the black hat, the one who looks like an Apache, he says it was Juan Piron who betrayed them."
    "Ah? I am not surprised. But he was killed also?"
    "The gringo says they are all dead, that they had no further use for Piron , and did not trust him. And now they have the loot!"
    "I care nothing for that!" he said indignantly. "But Zaparo!
    There was a man! He was my friend, also, and to be betrayed by such a man?"
    "The gringo wishes to talk to you. He promises you no harm. He wishes only to find the gringo outlaws."
    The Mexican shook his head. "I know nothing, Chiquita!" Their voices became lower, and then after a quick kiss Chiquita gave him a package of food and got back into the saddle. Turning her horse, she rode into darkness.
    Bowdrie was in a quandary. Here was his chance to talk to the young Mexican, and there might never be another. On the other hand, the unknown rider might follow Chiquita.
    Had he also overheard? Or had he come this far?
    He made his decision quickly. He would do both.
    He spoke, hoping his voice would carry no farther than the young Mexican. "Stand where you are! I am a friend!"
    The Mexican rooted himself in his tracks, but turned slowly to face him.
    "I am the gringo Chiquita mentioned, and I must talk with you, but we must ride also, for Chiquita is in danger."
    "Chiquita? In danger? I will get my horse."
    Warily Chick watched him go, then circled the fire beyond the reach of its light.
    He saw no good place where a watcher might have been, and if there had been one, he was gone.
    "Leave the fire. There is nothing for it to burn and there is no time."
    Bowdrie led the way; then the Mexican closed up beside him and Bowdrie explained about the follower he had glimpsed. Then he asked, "What do you know of Piron ?"
    "He was cousin to Zaparo but I did not trust him. I followed once when he met with two men, but could not see their faces. Zaparo would not believe he was a traitor.
    He became very angry with me."
    "How did it happen you were not with them?"
    "My father, sehor, he is ill. When he became better I rode to see Chiquita, but also hoping she could tell what happened to Zaparo. He had been gone too long, and at the cantina they hear everything."
    Suddenly they heard a scream, quickly choked off. The young Mexican slapped spurs to his horse and was gone like a shot. Bowdrie could only follow.
    He saw them suddenly, two struggling figures in the road, but at the sound of the rushing horses the man threw the girl from him and grabbed for his pistol. Chick drew and fired, and the man dropped his gun and staggered, dropping to his knees.
    Bowdrie hit the ground on the run and saw the young Mexican go to Chiquita. She