For she knew now what the evil was that had been tolling a bell of warning in her heart.
CHAPTER XLI
HANK BRINGS BAD NEWS
The change in the wind had cost three lives, but it had saved the Jackpot property and the feed on the range. After the fire in San Jacinto Cañon had broken through Hart's defense by its furious and persistent attack, nothing could have prevented it from spreading over the plains on a wild rampage except a cloudburst or a decided shift of wind. This last had come and had driven the flames back on territory already burnt over.
The fire did not immediately die out, but it soon began to dwindle. Only here and there did it leap forward with its old savage fury. Presently these sporadic plunges wore themselves out for lack of fuel. The devastated area became a smouldering, smoking char showing a few isolated blazes in the barren ruin. There were still possibilities of harm in them if the wind should shift again, but for the present they were subdued to a shadow of their former strength. It remained the business of the fire-fighters to keep a close watch on the red-hot embers to prevent them from being flung far by the breeze.
Fortunately the wind died down soon, reducing the danger to a minimum.
Dave handed back to Shorty the revolver he had borrowed so peremptorily from his holster.
"Much obliged. I won't need this any more."
The cowpuncher spoke grimly. "I'm liable to."
"Mexico is a good country for a cattleman," Sanders said, looking straight at him.