Closer and closer Frank crept. His face was set with determination. He was alone, but he would rescue Sadie Rodney.
Suddenly a scream of fear came from the girl.
“The bluffs!” she cried—“the bluffs! We are right upon them!”
Indian Charlie realized it for the first time. He saw before them the bluffs which arose two hundred feet from the bed of a dry gorge.
Then he hastily tried to rein about with his free hand.
Too late!
The horse took the bit in his teeth and charged straight at the gorge which lay in advance.
To go over the bluff meant a plunge to death, and yet he was unable to rein his horse about. Frantically he tried to turn the creature aside.
Frank realized the peril that threatened the man and girl. He freed the lariat he had brought all this distance and prepared to use it. Around and around his head the noose circled, and then, just before the horse in advance reached the brink of the bluff, he made the cast.
The noose sailed through the air and dropped over the head and shoulders of the man and girl. The trained horse Frank bestrode suddenly turned and braced itself.