"I am ready!"
Guided by the man who had come in the nick of time, Waters went up the steps into the starlight.
"This way," whispered Briggs.
Three minutes later the rescued man stood some distance from the blackened ranch house, and Briggs' hand pointed toward the south.
"You know the way to Perth," said he. "To be found here means death."
"But Riggs," said Waters, "is he back?"
"He is over there; but don't stop for him; Riggs can't help you at Robin Ranch. He has all he can do to care for himself. You must go or die here, Dick."
The young man hesitated.
Behind him stood the old house, and before the long trail to the provincial capital.
"I am going," he said as he held out his hand to his deliverer.