watched Bat recover his own horse from behind a rock pinnacle and
follow the Texan, always keeping out of sight in parallel coulees until
both were swallowed up in the amethyst haze of the bad lands.

For an hour they remained in their lookout, pointing out to each other
some new wonder of the landscape--a wind-carved pinnacle, the
heliographic flashing of the mica, or some new combination in the
ever-changing splendour of colours.

"Whew! But it's hot, and I'm thirsty. And besides it's lunch time."
Alice rose, and with Endicott following, made her way to the camp.

"Isn't it wonderful?" she breathed, as they ate their luncheon. "This
life in the open--the pure clean air--the magnificent world all spread
out before you, beckoning you on, and on, and on. It makes a person
strong with just the feel of living--the joy of it. Just think,
Winthrop, of being able to eat left-over biscuits and cold bacon and
enjoy it!"

Endicott smiled: "Haven't I improved enough, yet, for 'Win'?--Tex
thinks so."

The girl regarded him critically. "I have a great deal of respect for
Tex's judgment," she smiled.

"Then, dear, I am going to ask you again, the question I have asked you
times out of number: Will you marry me?"

"Don't spoil it all, now, please. I am enjoying it so. Enjoying being
here with just you and the big West. Oh, this is the real West--the