The tiny child looked straight into Bridge's eyes for a fullminute before she replied as though endeavoring toread his inmost soul.

"I do not know this boy," she exclaimed. "That is the truth. He was spying on me, and when I found him he toldme that you and your companions were thieves andmurderers and that you were hiding there watching me. You tell me the truth, all the truth, and I will tell youthe truth. I always have nothing to fear. If you do not tell methe truth I shall know it. Will you?"

"I will," said in reply Bridge, and then turning toward thebrush he called: "Come here!" and presently a kid and agirl, dishevelled and fearful, crawled forth into sight. Willie Case's eyes went wide as they fell upon the0skaloosa Kid.

Quickly and simply Bridge told the girl the story ofthe past night, for he saw that by enlisting her sym-pathy he might find an avenue of escape for his com-panions, or at least a haven of refuge where they mighthide until escape was possible. "And then," he said inconclusion, "when the searchers arrived we followedthe foot prints of yourself and the bear until we cameupon you digging this grave."