“Then lemme shake your hand.  You an’ your pards have done a job to-night that ain’t had its like often, and me bein’ one of them that’s profited by it makes it look all the bigger to me.”

The Panther graciously extended an enormous palm, and the great palm of Fields met it in a giant clasp.  A smile lighted up the somber face of Mr. Roylston as he looked at them.

“Often we find powerful friends when we least expect them,” he said.

“As you are the worst hurt of the lot,” said the Panther, “we’re going to make you a bed right here by the fire.  No, it ain’t any use sayin’ you won’t lay down on it.  If you won’t we’ll jest have to put you down.”

They spread a blanket, upon which the exhausted merchant lay, and they covered him with a serape.  Soon he fell asleep, and then Fields said to Ned and his comrades: 

“You fellows have done all the work, an’ you’ve piled up such a mountain of debt against us that we can never wipe it out.  Now you go to sleep and four of us will watch.  And, knowin’ what would happen to us if we were caught, we’ll watch well.  But nothing is to be expected to-night.”

“Suits us,” said Obed.  “Some must watch while others sleep, so runs the world away.  Bet you a dollar, Ned, that I’m off to Slumberland before you are.”

“I don’t take the bet,” said Ned, “but I’ll run you an even race.”

In exactly five minutes the two, rolled in their own blankets, slept soundly.  All the others soon followed, except four, who, unlike the Mexicans, kept a watch that missed nothing.

CHAPTER III

THE FIGHT WITH URREA

Morning came.  Up rose the sun, pouring a brilliant light over the desolate plains.  Beads of water from the rain the night before sparkled a little while and then dried up.  But the day was cold, nevertheless, and a sharp wind now began to search for the weakest point of every one.  Ned, Obed and the Panther were up betimes, but some of the rescued still slept.

Ned, at the suggestion of the Panther, mounted one of the horses and rode out on the plain a half mile to the south.  Those keen eyes of his were becoming all the keener from life upon the vast rolling plains.  But no matter how he searched the horizon he saw only a lonesome cactus or two shivering in the wind.  When he returned with his report the redoubtable Panther said: 

“Then we’ll just take our time.  The pursuit’s goin’ to come, but since it ain’t in sight we’ll brace up these new friends of ours with hot coffee an’ vittles.  I guess we’ve got coffee enough left for all.”

They lighted the fire anew and soon pleasant odors arose.  The rescued prisoners ate and drank hungrily, and Mr. Roylston was able to limp a little.  Now that Ned saw him in the full daylight he understood more clearly than ever that this was indeed a most uncommon man.  The brow and eyes belonged to one who thought, planned and organized.  He spoke little and made no complaint, but when he looked at Ned he said: