"No-o. I don't suppose he will," admitted the outlaw, reluctantly. "But it will give me a chance to make 'em sit-up and take notice. It'll show 'em they've got some job on their hands to catch me when I can run through their lines, call at old man Quint's and get back again."
"Nobody with any sense would try it," grunted Pedro. "What would become of Rosie and me if you got caught? You ought to think of others besides yourself when you're planning these daredevil raids."
"That's just what I am doing," retorted Rogers. "Didn't I tell you I asked the colonel for a safe conduct for Rosie? If I can only get it, she can go to Old Mex. and you can go where you please."
"And where'll you go?" demanded Pedro, suspiciously.
"I? Oh, I'll just carry out my pledge and then travel for my health."
The matter-of-fact manner in which the outlaw, who was, even as he spoke, being hunted by hundreds of men, talked of eluding his pursuers and fulfilling his promise, gave the scouts an idea of his absolute fearlessness which they could not but admire, while at the same time his contempt for the Service galled them.
The girl, however, received Red's words in silence.
"What is the pledge you made to daddy?" she suddenly demanded.
"Something that doesn't concern you, Rosie."
"But it does. I don't see why you should run such risks of being captured, now you're safe, just on account of a promise. Please tell me what it is. I'm Barney's daughter, and as such—if it seems foolish—I can absolve you from your pledge."