or the present. When the sun
went down she would tell what to do.

For an hour thereafter they rode without speaking.

While it was still light they came out on another meadow. Nesis signed
to Colina that they should halt at the edge of the trees on the other
side, and, picketing the horses, let them graze for a little while.

It was done. The horses had to feed and rest, and this looked like as
good a place as any. Meanwhile Cora built a fire and cooked their
supper as unconcerned as if it were a picnic party an hour's ride from
home.

They had no sooner dismounted than the Indians appeared out of the
woods at the other side of the meadow. Seeing the girls, they likewise
dismounted without coming any closer, and built a great fire.

About a quarter of a mile separated the two fires. It grew dark.
Colina sat out of range of the firelight, watching the other fire.

Nesis took the gun and went on up the trail to guard against the
surprise from that side. Cora kept an eye upon the dim shapes of the
tethered horses, and watched her mistress with sullen, doglike devotion.

After an hour and a half Nesis returned, and signing to Cora to saddle
the horses, made a reconnaissance across the meadow.

Coming back to the fire presently, she indicated to Colina that they
were not watched from that side, and that they should now ride on.

Evidently the Indians thinking they had them trapped in the trail were
careless. Indians are not fond of scout duty in the dark in any case.

They softly made ready, taking care not to let the firelight betray
their activities. Nesis's last act was to heap fresh wood on the fire.
Colina, approving all she did was glad to let her run things. She
could not guess how she purposed evading the Indians in front.

They mounted, and proceeded into the woods, walking their horses
slowly. Colina could not make out the trail, but her horse could.

Nesis led the way. They climbed a little hill and descended the other
side. At the bottom the trail was bisected by a shallow stream making
its way over a stony bed to the river.

Halting her horse in the middle of it, Nesis allowed Colina to
approach, and pointed out to her that they must turn to the right here,
and let their horses walk in the water to avoid leaving tracks.

For more than an hour they made a painfully slow journey among the
stones. The intelligent horses picked their way with noses close to
the ground.

They were now