"Probably dug out in Indian times. I'll bet it has saved the scalp of more than one old fellow. There's an opening into it from the church somewhere, you can depend upon that. I'm thinking, too, that the well was a bluff--that it wasn't intended for water at all. We'll smash the mystery of the adobe church before we pull out of here to-morrow, see if we don't." "I come mighty near doing for one of them," added Big-foot Sanders ruefully. "Got anything to eat?" interrupted Stacy Brown. "For goodness' sake, boys, take your fat friend over to the chuck wagon and fill him up. He's like a Mexican steer--he'll bed down safer when he's full of supper." * * * * * In the meantime, another scene was being enacted off at the Ox Bow ranch--a scene that was to add still another chapter to the romance of the trail. Tad Butler was sitting alone in the darkness on the steps of the McClure mansion. The boy, chin in hands, was lost in thought. Stallings had carried Ruth Brayton in his arms all the way to the ranch where she had soon revived. After leaving her, the foreman and Colonel McClure had locked themselves in the library, where they remained in consultation for more than an hour. "How is Miss Ruth?" asked the boy eagerly, when Stallings finally came out. "Better than in many months," answered the foreman. There was a new note in his voice. "I'm so glad," breathed Tad. "Old man," began Stallings, slapping Tad on the shoulder, "come along with me. We'll lead our ponies back to camp and talk. I presume you are aching to know what all this mystery means?" laughed the foreman. "Naturally, I am a bit curious," admitted Tad. "It means, Pinto, that not only have you rendered a great service to Mr. Miller and his herd, but you have done other things as well." "I've mixed things up pretty well, I guess." "No. You have solved a riddle, and made me the happiest man in the Lone Star State. Miss Brayton and I have known each other almost since childhood. When I was in Yale----" "You a college man!" exclaimed Tad in surprise. "Yes. We were engaged. My people were quite wealthy; but, in a panic, some years ago, father lost everything, dying soon after. Miss Brayton's family then refused their consent to our marriage. I determined to seek my fortune in the growing West. My full name is Robert Stallings Hamilton, though I never had used the middle name until I adopted it when I became a cowboy. But to return to Miss Brayton. Ruth was taken to Europe, and then sent to her uncle here. Her trouble preyed on her mind to such an extent that she grew 'queer.' She had heard that I was a cattle man, somewhere in the West. Strangely enough, when in her moods, she developed a strong antipathy to herds of cattle. Whenever a herd was near, Ruth would slip from the house and steal away to them in the night, A stampede usually followed. It's a wonder she wasn't shot. Whether or not she caused these intentionally, Ruth does not know----"