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He broke off with a curse, for she was flying toward the little

circle of cottonwoods some forty yards away. She had caught a

glimpse of the water-hole and was speeding for it.

"Come back here," he called, and in a rage let fly a bullet after

her.

She paid no heed, did not stop till she reached the spring and

threw herself down full length to drink, to lave her burnt face,

to drink again of the alkali brackish water that trickled down

her throat like nectar incomparably delicious.

She was just rising to her feet when Struve hobbled up.

"Don't you think you can play with me, missie. When I give the

word you stop in your tracks, and when I say 'Jump!' step

lively."

She did not answer. Her head was lifted in a listening attitude,

as if to catch some sound that came faintly to her from a

distance.

"You're mine, my beauty, to do with as I please, and don't you

forget it."