"Keep to the southwest," said Miss Hetherill. "Don't forget that. Watch the sun to-morrow, and remember always to travel to the southwest. If you do that you will reach the settlements before your food is exhausted."
"Good-by, Miss Hetherill," I said.
"Good-by," said she.
She was standing before me, and she looked so fair in the moonlight that I stooped down suddenly and kissed her.
I do not know why I did it, I had known her only a day or so, but I had no apologies to make then, and I will make none now.
She stared at me a moment, her face quite red. Then, without speaking, she turned and walked swiftly toward Fort Defiance, while I slowly climbed the first slopes of the mountains.
CHAPTER IV.
AMONG THE PEAKS.
Some yards up I came to a ledge, upon which I sat and took another look at Fort Defiance. I saw a light figure cross the drawbridge, and then up went the bridge itself. I resumed my journey, half walking, half climbing, and a half-hour later, when I looked back again, I was much astonished to see lights blazing at every window of Fort Defiance. I watched for some minutes, but I was too far away to see figures moving or anything else that would tell me the cause of the lights.