A bright fire blazed under the cliff. Men were moving and
laughing. The cabin door was open. Mescal stood leaning back from
Snap Naab, struggling to release her hands.
"Let me untie them, I say," growled Snap.
Mescal tore loose from him and stepped back. Her hands were
bound before her, and twisting them outward, she warded him off.
Her dishevelled hair almost hid her dark eyes. They burned in a
level glance of hate and defiance. She was a little lioness,
quivering with fiery life, fight in every line of her form.
"All right, don't eat then—starve!" said Snap.
"I'll starve before I eat what you give me."
The rustlers laughed. Holderness blew out a puff of smoke and
smiled. Snap glowered upon Mescal and then upon his amiable
companions. One of them, a ruddyfaced fellow, walked
