Bloom of Cactus

nd him was transformed by the splendour of dawn. Up out of mysterious velvety blue-black valleys loomed the massive purple-wall

ped the ridge and plodded slowly down the steep trail on the far

zon, the ethereal colours of daybreak faded. The magic towers and pyramids lo

ry of the valleys. In place of the cool mysterious vales there were left only scor

g was very old. Above almost every arable valley bottom the heights were crested with the stone ruins of ancient pueblos. Not improbably, Coronado

gade Apaches had sneaked along the ancient way in search of victims. Every few yard

old prospector whose copper mine he was seeking to rediscover. But his glance was only momentary. He kne

ready in hand, and the hammer at half cock. Lennon began to whistle a dance tune as he sauntered u

oss the bottom of the arroyo Lennon heard a sharp ping close above his ear-his sombrero whirled from his he

brought him alongside the burro. He crouched below the level of the pack and clutched the butt of his she

rro, he peered around the end of the pack. A bullet thwacked in the sand close at his right. He thought he could see a haze of semi-smokeless powder

ust up above the rock in a convulsive gesture, then suddenl

the trail ran up a small side gully. From the gully he started to creep with cautious

to catch a single glimpse of the lier-in-wait or to draw another shot. His conviction that he h

y pony loping down into the wash along the trail of the burro. The pony's rider was armed with a rifle. Lennon took quick aim-only to

riend! Don

as a woman. He jumped clear of the bank and s

d. "Hide behind your

d out of her saddle on the far side. Only her old cowboy sombrero, the botto

istress. Lennon's first glance showed him that she was young and more than pretty. He was alrea

ed. "Down, bef

r cheeks were ruddy with rich colour under their deep coat of tan. The cor

brant, contralto voice. "I heard shots, so came a-running. Your atta

ink I nailed the beggar. Yet you must take no

g a shot. When a mountain lion misses his game first crack, he som

ht all Indians were

ony and picked up Lennon's new sombrero. Through the m

e," she said. "Good, th

s gray eyes. He took the hat from her outstretched gloved ha

my name is Lennon-Jack

ht, but can you shoo

luck with running deer

going up to look for signs

t stay here.

tones. Lennon started to block the way but changed his mind when he perceived her amused smi

he girl was accustomed to rough ground, and he was not. She was still

pper side the slopes around were all open to view. Lennon came to a panting halt and stared about

a niche of the crag and bent

.... And look at this track-Apache-made moccasin. E

ack was only a s

d has flown. All safe around here now, but may be dangerous on the trail ahead. Happen

mean wild hor

burro dead? Out prospecting, I noticed by your outfit. What were you heading up this

was to strike in eastward to a three-towered mountain. Old friend of mine discovered a big copper vein there in

hecked herself and tightened her lips. "Well, what y

eturn together for mutual protection, unles

im up and down wi

int of timidit

said. "They like to kill just for pure devilment, and when they

in Lennon, no

t that hole in your hat? Hadn't you better

, rallied hims

might say it was on business, but I've no

l flashed with a look of

ad Hole-Dad's ranch-is only a few miles southeast of Triple Butte, the mountai

misunderstand me, please. It is all right for

is this-I'm going home. I've no mind t

before she had reached

to your ranch even if your pony outruns me. O

raw off her glove and offer

don't like rattlers,

iss Farley, but I'd like at lea

er of Arizona looked

e highest of all stakes

t the highest. There are o

. "But not everybody