eyes opened and darted a glance of affright into the face of the
Scarlet Boy.

"Fear not, miss;" and the youth gently supported her to a sitting
posture. "I am a friend, and your cruel captors have vamosed. Lucky I
came along just as I did, or it's likely they'd have killed you."

"Oh! sir, how can I ever thank you for rescuing me from those
merciless fiends!" and the maiden gave him a grateful glance. "They
whipped me, terribly!"

"I know, lady--all because you defended yourself in Red Canyon."

"I suppose so: but how did you find out so much, and, also, effect my
release from the savages?"

Fearless Frank leaned up against the tree which had been used as the
torture-stake, and related what is already known to the reader.

When he had finished, the rescued captive seized his hand between both
her own, and thanked him warmly.

"Had it not been for you, sir, no one but our God knows what would
have been my fate. Oh! sir, what can I do, more than to thank you a
thousand times, to repay you for the great service you have rendered
me?"

"Nothing, lady; nothing that I think of at present. Was it not my
duty, while I had the power, to free you from the hands of those
barbarians? Certainly it was, and I deserve no thanks. But tell me,