For answer Virginia beckoned the eastern girl to follow, and then, urging Comrade to top speed, she again galloped toward the mountains and the old adobe hut.
Much puzzled, Margaret followed on Star.
What had Virginia seen, she wondered.
CHAPTER XIV—THE HUT OCCUPIED.
Virginia did not pause in her mad gallop over the hard, sandy trail toward the mountains until they were near enough for Margaret’s untrained eyes to see clearly the old adobe. Then, turning in her saddle, the western girl asked: “What do you see now?”
“Something white waving on the roof,” the eastern girl replied.
“Yes, and the something is being waved by a small boy, and so the occupant is not an outlaw as we feared at first. I believe that the little fellow is trying to call for help.” Then gazing intently at her comrade, Virginia said: “Margaret, I will ride on alone, and you remain here. It may be a trap laid for us, but still it may be someone in trouble. I cannot pass without knowing which it is.”
“But, Virginia,” the Eastern girl pleaded, “I wouldn’t want to remain here and let you go alone into possible danger.”
“Margaret,” the other said earnestly, “you would be a far greater help to me if you would wait here. If it is a trap, and if I do not quickly reappear, gallop as fast as you can back to the ranch and bring Slim to my rescue, but if all is well I will wave to you and then you may come to the hut in safety.”
Margaret felt that Virginia was planning this to protect her, and her heart was filled with conflicting emotions as she sat on Star watching as the western girl rode alone toward the crumbling adobe hut. The boy was no longer on the roof, nor was there smoke coming from the chimney. A vulture, sweeping in great circles overhead, was the only sign of life.