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Page 91
Norton had no reply to make. Florence's disappearance at a time like
this might mean either a very great deal or nothing whatever. But, as
Engle had intimated, it would require but little time to learn if she
were in San Juan and safe, and, as Norton had said, there was no time
now to be wasted. Engle would institute inquiries immediately; Norton,
his own work looming large before him, would prepare to meet Galloway's
latest play.
The sheriff decided promptly that it would be unwise to leave the town
absolutely drained of men in whom he could put faith. It was always
possible that either the entire crowd of Galloway's men or a smaller
detachment might find their way here. Julius Struve, four armed men
aiding him, was to be responsible for the welfare of women and
children. If Galloway's stroke should turn out to be bolder and harder
than was now known, then Struve and his men had horses saddled and were
to get their wards out of danger by hard riding. Norton was to post
two men a few miles out as he rode north and they were to report back
to Struve in case of necessity.
These latter plans were made only at the moment before the sheriff's
departure. A man sent by Brocky Lane had raced into San Juan's street,
bringing fresh word. It began to appear that Galloway was working in
conjunction with aid from below the border. Del Rio with a score of
men, Mexicans for the most part who had dribbled into the county during
the last few months, was reported to have swept down upon John Engle's
ranches, and to be gathering herds of cattle and horses, starting them
southward on the run. Three of Engle's cowboys had been shot down; a
similar attack had been delivered upon other ranches. The little town
of Las Vegas had been looted, post-office, store, and saloon safes
dynamited, stock driven off to augment del Rio's other herds. Further,
the cowboy sent by Lane reported that a signal-fire had been lighted in
the mountains an hour ago and that there had been another fire like an
answer leaping up from the desert in the south. Word had also come to
Lane that telephone messages hinted that Kid Rickard and his unit were
working further outlawry along the county line, headed toward Mt.
Temple.
There were seventeen armed horsemen in the street waiting for the word
from Norton.
"I'll come back to you," he said quietly to Virginia. "Because after
what you have done for me, I belong to you . . . if you want me."
"I want you, Rod," she answered steadily. "And I know that you will
come back to me. And now . . . kiss me good night."
She clung to him a moment, then pushed him from her and watched him
swing up into the saddle and ride out among the men who were pledged
and sworn to do his bidding. As he did so Engle came to him.
"Going with us, John?" asked Norton.
"No," said Engle. "We haven't found her yet, Rod. I'll try to pick up
a trace of her here. And . . . you'll send a man to me if you find
her?"
"Yes," Norton promised.
"And if Galloway has got her . . ."
"I'll know what to do, John," said Norton gently.
Then, without again looking back, he turned his horse toward the north.
The seventeen men, riding two and three abreast, silent and grave for
the most part, followed him. The moon shone upon their rifle-barrels
and made black, grotesque shadows underfoot.
Against the northern sky Mt. Temple was lifted sharply outlined; from
its crest a leaping flame was stabbing at the stars, a new signal-fire
to be seen across many miles.
CHAPTER XXV
THE BATTLE IN THE ARROYO
Straight toward that wavering plume of flame in the north they rode
swiftly, each man with his own thoughts and with few words. But
whether a man thought of Florrie Engle gone or of the shooting of
Sheriff Roberts or of the looting of Las Vegas or of a ranch raided, he
was like his fellows in that he knew that at last Jim Galloway had come
out into the open and that to-night must be Galloway's triumph or
Galloway's death. And perhaps he wondered if his own saddle would run
empty under the stars before another dawn.
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