“I’m no second edition of Rowdy Kate or Calamity Jane; but when my father died”--the girl’s voice trembled, and a mist came into her fine eyes--“and left no one but me to look after mother and take care of the ranch, it was up to Dell of the Double D to show her hand. In self-defense I was obliged to learn the ways of the frontier. How well I have learned them, Nomad, any one in these parts can tell you.” Nomad pulled off his hat. “Ye’re all right, Miss Dauntless,” said he, “an’ thet shot goes as it lays.” “I’m Dell to my friends,” said the girl, her eyes dancing again, “and I want to be friends with old Nomad, and with Buffalo Bill, too.” “Thar won’t be no sort er trouble erbout thet. But I’d like ter hear more erbout them fellers thet was chasin’ ye.” “They have been dogging my heels ever since I left Phœnix, picking up my trail about the time I crossed the Arizona canal. I don’t know why they did this any more than you. As I just said, I was going to make a play to find out when you came to my”--she laughed--“my rescue.” “Waal,” grinned Nomad, “now thet ye’re rescued, ye kin jest trot erlong home ter ther Double D, an’ Golightly an’ me’ll pike fer ther Three-ply.” “I’m piking for the Three-ply myself,” said Dell. “Thet so?” “Sure. You see, I have important business with Buffalo Bill.” “S’posin’ we ride tergether?” “Fine!” The girl whirled Silver Heels, clicked her spurs, and both horses started off on an easy lope. CHAPTER XII. TREACHERY DISCLOSED. Nomad’s first impression of Dell of the Double D was undergoing a change. “How do you happen to be so far from the mine without a mount of your own, Golightly?” the girl inquired, as they traveled. “Bedad,” answered the Irishman, “th’ two blackguards that was chasin’ yerself could have tould yez.” He scowled, looked back along the trail, and shook his clenched fist. “Here’s mystery,” said Dell, “and it must be serious to get your Irish up like that. However did those two men who were chasing me have anything to do with you?” “They snaked him off’n er buckboard an’ put him inter a b’ar-trap,” guffawed Nomad. “He was yellin’ ter git out while I was passin’ through ther basin, an’ arter a spell o’ lookin’ I managed ter locate him.” “In a bear-trap!” cried Dell. “Did they rob you, Golightly?” “Sorry a thing did Oi have about me that was worth th’ takin’,” answered Golightly, “barrin’ th’ ould man’s team an’ buckboard.” “Why did they take that?” “Ask me somethin’ aisy.” “Were you going to Phœnix?” “Oi was. Oi got as far as th’ basin, an’ shpent th’ rest av th’ toime in that bear-thrap!” “Ah!” exclaimed the girl, straightening suddenly in her saddle, while a look of alarm crossed her face. “Were you going to meet Annie?” “Nawthin’ ilse! Now, begorry, Oi’ll bet she’s waitin’ in th’ hotel wondherin’ where th’ blazes is Golightly.”