Then her fear predominated again and she cried, "Oh, if my husband should see me now!" Hopalong mastered his astonishment and bowed.

He had a desire to ride madly into the Rio Grande and collect his senses.
"Yu are right--this is too dangerous--I'll amble on some," he replied hastily.

Under his breath he prayed that the outfit would never learn of this.

He turned his horse and rode slowly up the street as the door closed.
Rounding the corner he heard a soft footfall, and swerving in his saddle he turned and struck with all his might in the face of a man who leaped at him, at the same time grasping the uplifted wrist with his other hand.

A curse and the tinkle of thin steel on the pavement accompanied the fall of his opponent.