A moment later Virginia appeared with a pail of water. “We’ll have to hurry, Megsy,” she said, without looking at her friend, who stood in the middle of the room, pale and trembling; “that is if we are to eat our fine feast before the sun sets, and I’d heaps rather eat it by daylight than by the one lone lantern that Malcolm seems to have left for us.” While Virginia talked, Margaret was trying to regain her courage and to the surprise she heard herself saying quite calmly: “Virg, here is a message of some sort.” The western girl took it and exclaimed: “Oh! Malcolm’s writing.” Then, after glancing it over, she added in a matter-of-fact tone, “You see he thought one of the cow-boys would be here tonight and so he has written some directions in the Mexican lingo which we all understand.” Margaret was greatly relieved. “Is it anything important?” she asked. If Virginia hesitated before replying, it was for so brief a second that the eastern girl did not notice it. “Not so very,” she replied. “Malcolm expects to be back early tomorrow morning.” Then together they sat on the rude bench by the rustic table that leaned against the wall and if Virginia seemed thoughtful, Margaret decided that it was because her responsibility was really more than a girl should assume. Had Margaret known the real character of the message left by Malcolm, she would have been unable to partake of the sandwiches and fried rabbit with the zest that she did. Virginia after a thoughtful few moments began an assumed merry conversation and then, as soon as the sun was set, she suggested that they retire early that they need not light the lantern. “Why?” Margaret asked, on the alert at once. “Do you fear that some one might see it and find out where we are?” Virginia’s laugh sounded natural. “A light always attracts bugs and beetles,” she exclaimed merrily, “and we will sleep better if they stay away. I do not want to close the one window, since it has only a wooden blind and we will need the air.” Margaret did not openly protest, but to herself she thought: “I’ll never sleep a wink, I know, with that window open, for how easy it would be for the mountain lion to spring in and eat us up before we knew it.” But after a time, the fragrance of pine boughs lulled the tired girl to sleep, and when Virginia was sure that the slumber was not feigned, she rose very quietly and tiptoed toward the door. CHAPTER XXIII NIGHT PROWLERS Virginia, sincerely hoping that the eastern girl would not awaken, tiptoed out of the log cabin and very quietly closed the door. She was carrying the unlighted lantern and some matches. Not far from the cabin was a small cave. In this Virginia went and struck a light when she was sure that it would not be seen by anyone outside. Then opening the brown paper, she read again and more carefully what her brother, Malcolm, had written.