“You were marvelous!” Gale said soothingly.
“I was scared!” Val contradicted with a nervous laugh. “And now I’m acting like a silly goose. Oh, Gale, how did you get here? Where did you come from?”
“I was here all the time,” Gale said, “ever since this afternoon. But we’ll have explanations later. Come along, we have to get out of here.”
“Slowly my young friends!” an oily voice spoke behind Gale.
The latter could see Val’s face whiten with sudden terror. She heard her catch her breath and felt her tremble.
“Gale--he was shamming--it was a trick. He’s got a gun!” Val whispered brokenly.
Gale put Valerie from her and turned about. The Mexican was peering along the barrel of a rifle leveled at them. Her gaze went beyond him to the corner where lay the saddle and where, this afternoon, she had found the same rifle he now held. Her hand went into her breeches pocket and she smiled broadly.
The more the Mexican glowered over the gun at them, the more Gale smiled. Valerie watched her friend with amazement. Had the evening’s events mentally unbalanced Gale? It was no situation at which to laugh. At least she didn’t see the funny side.
“Gale! What’s the matter?” Val asked, shaking Gale’s arm vigorously. “Are you crazy? He’ll shoot!”
“No, he won’t,” Gale said, shaking her head. “He can’t. The gun isn’t loaded.” For an instant the rifle wavered. “Look for yourself,” she invited, hoping desperately that it hadn’t been reloaded.