"A reasonable goat!" Dick reined up till the other horse was abreast of his, then dived into his pocket and handed Steve a letter. "She's quit taking any interest in me, has she? Don't know I'm on the earth, you old owl? Looks like it, and her sending me a letter this very day."
Steve turned the square envelope around and weighed it in his hand.
"Am I to read this here billy doo?" he wanted to know.
"Yes, sir."
Gravely the old miner opened and read the following: "Miss Valdés begs to inform Mr. Gordon that she has reason to fear Mr. Gordon's life is not safe in the present feeling of the country. Out of regard for her people, whom she would greatly regret to see in trouble, Miss Valdés would recommend Mr. Gordon to cut short his pleasure trip to New Mexico. Otherwise Miss Valdés declines any responsibility for the result."
"Can't be called very affectionate, can it?" was Mr. Davis's comment. "Ain't it jest a leetle mite--well, like she was writing with a poker down her back?"
"I didn't say it was affectionate," snorted the young man.
"Oh, I allowed you thought she was in love with you."
"I didn't say or think anything of the kind," protested Dick indignantly. "I said she hadn't forgotten me."
"Well, she ain't, if that's any comfort."
With which, Mr. Davis handed back the letter. "What did you answer to the billy doo?"
"I said that Mr. Gordon presented his compliments and begged to reply that he had large business interests in this part of the country that necessitated a visit of some length, and probably in the end a permanent residence here; and that he would very fully absolve Miss Valdés of any responsibility for his remaining."
"Both of you used up a heap of dictionary words; but that wasn't so bad, either," grinned Steve. "You got back at her, all right, for the 'pleasure trip' part of her letter, but I expect you and she would disagree as to what that 'permanent residence' means. I hope it won't be more permanent than you think."
From the rocks above came the sound of an exploding rifle. Dick's hat was lifted from his head as by a gust of wind. Immediately after they caught sight of a slim, boyish figure dodging among the rocks.
"There he goes," cried Dick; and he slid from his saddle and took up the chase.
"Come back. There may be several of them up there," called the old miner.
Gordon paid no attention; and Steve had nothing left to do but follow him up the rocky hillside.