Without a word of explanation, he bent sideways, caught her in his arms, drew her up until she was seated on the holsters strapped to a gaucho saddle, and wheeled his horse into a gallop.

Filled with a grim determination, she uttered no protest.

Not a syllable crossed her lips lest he should strive to amend his woeful blunder.

She noticed that they were not going toward the camp, but circling round the enclosed land in the direction of the hills.

Though the night was dark, the stars gave light enough for the horse to move freely.