"I mean this," responded Hooker warmly: "Phil holds the title to our mine. If he deserts he loses his Mexican citizenship and his claim is no good. But you don't need to think that your father will get the mine then, because he'll have to whip me first!" "O-ho!" she sneered. "So that is what you are thinking of? You are a true Gringo, Mr. Hooker--always thinking about the money!" "Yes," returned Bud; "and even at that I believe your old man will best me!" She laughed again, with sudden capriciousness, and stood tapping the floor with her foot. "Ah, I see," she said at length, gazing at him reproachfully; "you think I am working for my father. You think I got poor Phil into all this trouble in order to cheat him of his mine. But let me tell you, Señor Gringo," she cried with sudden fire, "that I did not! I have nothing to do with my father and his schemes. But if you do not trust me--" She turned dramatically to go, but when Hooker made no effort to stay her she returned once more to the attack. "No," she said, "it was because he was an American--because he was brave--that I put my faith in Phil. These Mexican men are cowards--they are afraid to stand up and fight! But Philip dared to make love to me--he dared to sing to me at night--and when Manuel del Rey tried to stop him he stood up and made a fight! "Ah, that is what I admire--a man who is brave. And let me tell you, Señor Hooker, I shall always love your friend! If I could run away I would marry him to-morrow; but this cur, Manuel del Rey, stands in the way. Even my own father is against me. But I don't care--I don't care what happens--only do not think that I am not your friend!" She paused now and glanced at him shyly, and as her eloquent eyes met his own Bud felt suddenly that she was sincere. The gnawing and corrosive doubts that had eaten at his heart fell away, and he saw her now in her true beauty, with no uneasy thoughts of treachery to poison his honest love. "I believe you, lady," he said, "and I'm glad to know you," he added, taking off his hat and bowing awkwardly. "Anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask for it--only I can't go against my pardners on this mine." He bowed again and retreated toward the door, but she followed him impulsively. "Shake hands," she said, holding out both her own, "and will you help me?" "Sure!" answered Bud, and as her soft fingers closed on his he took them gently, for fear that he might crush them and never know. XVIII A month of weary waiting followed that day of days in Fortuna, and still there was no word from Phil. Bernardo Bravo and his rebel raiders passed through the mountains to the east, and news came of heavy fighting in Chihuahua. Don Cipriano Aragon moved his family back to his hacienda and Gracia became only a dream. Then, one day, as Hooker and the Yaqui were industriously pounding out gold, a messenger came out from town with a telegram in his hand.