She strode with a will; but her flanks were white with froth; her breath came short; foam flew from her nostrils.
As we mounted the next ridge, still distancing our pursuers, I saw suddenly, on its crest, defined against the livid red sky like a silhouette, two more mounted black men! "It's all up, Hilda!" I cried, losing heart at last.

"They are on both sides of us now! The mare is spent; we are surrounded!" She drew rein and gazed at them.

For a moment suspense spoke in all her attitude.

Then she burst into a sudden deep sigh of relief.

"No, no," she cried; "these are friendlies!" "How do you know ?" I gasped.