He slowed down, climbin' that lava slope--and after that I didn't see no more of 'er." Sudden looked at his watch, frowning a little.

Mary V probably was all right; there was nothing unusual in her absence.

But this country south of Snake Ridge was closer to the lawless land across the boundary than he liked.

Their very errand down there gave proof enough of its character.
North of Snake Ridge, Sudden would merely have stored away a lecture for Mary V.Down here at Sinkhole-- "You boys get out and hunt her up!" he snapped, almost as though they were to blame for her absence.

"I didn't tell you before, but I'm telling you now that rustlers have been at work down here, and that's why we're taking the horses off this range.