"And your cattle station?" he questioned.
"Come on."
Hazel turned her mare away, and set off at a brisk canter. She followed the line of the hills at the edge of the wide plain of sweet grass.
Gordon followed her, marveling at the place, but more still at his guide. A quarter of an hour's gallop under the shade of the most amazingly beautiful woods he ever remembered to have seen, brought them to a clearing, in the midst of which stood a smallish frame house. It was more or less surrounded by a number of large, heavy-timbered corrals. The whole place was perfectly hidden by the screen of woods from view of the valley beyond.
Hazel leaped out of the saddle and passed hurriedly into the house. Next minute she returned with two picket ropes.
"We'll picket them both while we eat and get a peek around the place. We aren't yearning for a twenty-mile tramp back."
Gordon agreed. He remained silent while they off-saddled and secured their horses beyond the woods on the open grass. He was thinking hard. He was reviewing the purpose which had brought them to this wonderful outworld hiding-place. Nor were his thoughts wholly free from doubts and qualms.
At length the work was done. Their saddle blankets were laid out to dry in the sun, and the saddle bags were emptied of the ample lunch Hazel had carefully provided.
The girl was entirely mistress of the situation. Gordon felt his helplessness out here in the secret heart of nature.
"Shall we eat first or——?" Hazel broke off questioningly.