From up in the cañon came the thunder of the racing-car. Far above them Tenlow and Collie could see it creeping round a turn in the road. It disappeared in a dip, to reappear almost instantly, gliding swiftly down the long slant toward the valley. The staccato drumming of the exhaust echoed along the hillside. Overland's silk hat shone bravely in the sun. Beside the outlaw was the figure of a woman. Tenlow foresaw complications and muttered profanely.
Down the next ditch rolled the car, rocking to the unevenness of the mountain road. Overland opened the throttle, the machine shot forward, and in a few seconds drew up abreast of the deputy.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Summers," said Louise, stepping from the car. "How are you, Mr. Tenlow."
"Good-bye, Mr. Summers. I enjoyed the ride very much."
"Where's my pony, Collie? He didn't get away, did he?"
"No, ma'am. Mr. Tenlow 'requisitioned' him. Thought I'd wait till you came along so I could explain."
"Requisitioned my pony! What do you mean?"
"It's this way, Miss Lacharme. That man there in the machine is wanted. He--"
"What has that to do with my pony, please?"
"I guess you know who he is. I figured he was layin' to get away on that pony."
"You want to go back to school, pardner, and learn to figure correct," said Overland, his foot on the accelerator pedal of the throbbing car. "One minus one is nothin'."
"Hold on there!" cried Tenlow, striding forward. Louise stood between the deputy and the car.
"My horse, please," she said quietly. As she spoke the car roared, jumped forward, and shot down the smooth grade of the valley road.
"Now, Mr. Tenlow, I wish you would explain this to me. And then to Uncle Walter. I sent one of our men with a horse. He was to wait for me here. What right have you to interfere with him?"
"I guess I got as much right as you have to interfere with me," said Tenlow sullenly.
"Hold on there!" cried Collie, jumping forward.
"Take my horse, Miss Louise," said Collie, flushing.
"No. Mr. Tenlow will get him, I am sure."
"A woman can make any deal look smooth--if she is interested," said Tenlow, turning toward the brush. He came out leading the pony.
"Thank you. Collie, you may get the mail, please."
Collie stood watching her as she rode away. Then with much deliberation he tied his own pony Apache to a clump of greasewood. He unbuckled his belt and flung it, with gun and holster, to the ground.