Undaunted by the narrowness of the ledge, the willing, sure-footed mustang began climbing the steep grade.

Step by step they crept up, cautiously advancing from out the bottom of the cleft, the path followed winding in and out among bewildering cedars, and skirting unknown depths of ravines.

Mercedes was breathing heavily, her unoccupied hand grasping the trailing skirt which interfered with her climbing.

Miss Norvell, from her higher perch on the pony's back, glanced behind apprehensively.

Far away to the east a faint, uncertain tinge of gray was shading into the sky.