How utterly alone she felt! She could scarcely refrain from running after West and calling on him to wait! Glancing over her shoulder her heart was filled with pity and regret at the sight of the dead hero. Already she saw circling high in the evening sky, a pair of huge, black wings eager for prey. “I’ll stay here and watch Eagle! Those vultures shall not banquet yet awhile!” Glowing red and yellow colors dyed the evening skies. Soft shades of purple touched the distant tops and slopes of the mountains. Darkening shadows silently gathered among the pines, indistinct in the distance. Night was coming on apace, and still the girl stood—silent and alone, keeping vigil over the coveted feast. In the glow of the western sky gleamed brightly the tender sickle of the new moon. Turning so as to glance over her shoulder, Bess wished that the waiting might soon be ended. She arose from the flat rock upon which she had been resting and began pacing nervously back and forth. Snatches of verses she said aloud, then some strain of a song floated spasmodically across the range, too wide to send back an echo. The moon, with its brief consolation, had gone behind the horizon, and the night was rapidly growing darker. A qualm of fear filled the girl’s heart, as a coyote’s shrill, hungry cry rent the air. She quickly drew forth the weapon which she had always worn, from its snug and inconspicuous pocket, and stood ready to defend rather than for defense. From out the gloom she felt rather than heard an approach, which she prayed might be Henry West. A low whistle came in response to her call, and soon Mauchacho was led to his mistress and his soft nose brushed caressingly against her arm. “I had a hard time in finding the saddle or else I might have returned sooner. Have you been very anxious and lonely?” “Can we hurry away from here, Henry. I cannot bear to feel these dreadful, hungry creatures so near,” replied Bess, as another unearthly cry came from the waiting, anxious coyotes. West placed Bess in the saddle, flung his own empty one upon the horse and walked swiftly forward leading the way. At length they came to a ranch where West secured a horse, and rode with conservative speed toward home. It was after numerous futile calls that at last they heard the squeak of the ferry-boat as it came laboriously across the stream in the darkness to meet them. Dark clouds were filling the sky and another rain seemed imminent. Groping his way with the horses, West led them on to the boat and then lifted Bess from the saddle. Silently they stood as the Indian rowed them over the dark water. Startled by a glare of lightning Bess placed her arm through Henry West’s and gave it a pressure of confidence. “Had it not been for the gleam of the beads showing me your belt I doubt if I could have lifted you, Bess—for our—our ride—today,” said Henry, after a long silence. “Where did you get it? I do not remember ever seeing you wear it before!”