"What's up, Cap'n Jim?" cried one. "Have we lost the fun? Gringos, eh? hooray!"
The Spaniards had checked their horses. Four of them lay dead in the road, and several others were wounded. At sight of the mounted troop, they stopped and held a hurried consultation, then turned their horses and rode away.
The giant looked at Delmonte. "Want to follow?" he asked. "This is your hand, comrade."
"I want a horse!" said Captain Jack. "Miss Montfort,"—he turned to Rita, who had risen to her feet, and stood pale but quiet,—"these are our own good country-men. If I leave you with them but a few moments—"
"Hold on!" said the big man. "What did you call the young lady?"
Delmonte stared. "This is Miss Montfort," he said, rather formally.
"Not Rita!" cried the giant. "Pike's Peak and Glory Gulch! Don't tell me it's Rita!"
"Oh, yes! yes!" cried Rita, running forward with outstretched hands. "It is—I am! and you—oh, I know, I know. You are Peggy's big brother. You are Cousin Jim!"
"That's what they said when they christened me!" said Cousin Jim.