The evening air was very still and calm and sound traveled a good ways.
It was plainly enough the distant beat of horses’ hoofs.
It seemed to come from a point above, and now Frank saw a broad trail winding to the right up the side of the pass.
At the same moment the hoof strokes became plainer and then into sight rode a man of peculiar appearance.
He was tall and dark and wore a gay Mexican suit of silk and velvet with glittering patent leather boots.
He was armed to the teeth and rode a large dark colored horse bedecked with gay trappings.
The animal had been trotting down the trail, but now came to an instant halt pulled upon his haunches by the rider.
It was as if some gay Mexican cavalier had burst upon the scene fresh from sunny Mexico.
The rider sat for a moment like a statue, utterly dumfounded at sight of the Steam Horse.
If his appearance had been a surprise to Frank and the others, the sight of the Steam Horse was a revelation to the unknown.