Pursuit scarcely need be feared over the broken trails of the Rim Rock.

And the open end of the valley could be defended against almost any number of men coming down the river.

Access to Mexico was easy and quick.

What puzzled Duane was how Bland got cattle down to the river, and he wondered if the rustler really did get rid of his stolen stock by use of boats.
Duane must have idled considerable time up on the hill, for when he returned to the shack Euchre was busily engaged around the camp-fire.
"Wal, glad to see you ain't so pale about the gills as you was," he said, by way of greeting.

"Pitch in an' we'll soon have grub ready.
There's shore one consolin' fact round this here camp." "What's that ?" asked Duane.
"Plenty of good juicy beef to eat.