Quickly she brought her glass to bear on the spot.

Again the purple sage, magnified in color and size and wave, for long moments irritated her with its monotony.

Then from out of the sage on the ridge flew up a broad, white object, flashed in the sunlight and vanished.

Like magic it was, and bewildered Jane.
"What on earth is that ?" "I reckon there's some one behind that ridge throwin' up a sheet or a white blanket to reflect the sunshine." "Why ?" queried Jane, more bewildered than ever.
"To stampede the herd," replied Lassiter, and his teeth clicked.
"Ah!" She made a fierce, passionate movement, clutched the glass tightly, shook as with the passing of a spasm, and then dropped her head.

Presently she raised it to greet Lassiter with something like a smile.