"It's like the opening of some beau
tiful dream!" murmured Madge, as
she stood in the doorway of the rude
but comfortable old cabin, gazing at
the reddening sunset. "I'm glad we
are going to leave, for the Mexican
raids are coming closer" and more
equent."
She went into the house to glance
at the clock. According to all calcu
lation, her father and Walter must
soon put in an appearance. A clatter
outside of horses' hoofs and strange
voices sent a sharp thrill through her
frame. Madge went to the door. It
was to shrink back in sudden terror.
Ten men on horseback had driven up
and now surrounded the house. Two
others drove a light wagon. At a
glance Madge recognized them as
Mexicans. She noted, too, their semi
military garb.
She had acquired a very fair smat
tering of the Spanish language, and
only a few overheard sentences were
necessary to apprise Madge of the
fact that the long-dreaded raid was a
reality.
The leader of the group was a
handsome, courtly young fellow.
He gave sharp, definite orders. All
of the men, except two, deployed, sur
rounding the building. The leader ad
vanced and swept his hat to the
ground in a respectful bow.
"Senorita, a brief domiciliary visit
of necessity, order by superiors," he
observed in a suave, still half-mocking
tone. "No harm will be done to you,
but there must be no outcry or at
tempt to escape. You are alone?"
"Yes," she retorted, and her flash
ing eyes dashed the audacious fellow
with their sheer contempt and defi
ance.
