say that?"

"He has been killed by the spalpeens, for if he hadn't, he would have
showed himsilf before we lift the ranch."

"It looks that way, but you cannot be certain."

"I wish I couldn't, but he must have larned of thim being so near the
house as soon as mesilf, or very nearly so, and he would have been back
before me. That he didn't come is proof to my mind that he niver
will--ye may depind on the same."

This brief conversation took place while the youths were saddling and
mounting their horses. They made certain that everything was secure, and
then, carefully guiding their animals among bowlders to the open
prairie, paused a moment to decide upon the best course to take.

To the northwest stretched the white plain in gentle undulations, and in
the clear sunlight, miles away in the horizon, rose the dark line of a
wooded ridge, similar to the others described, and which are so common
in that section of the country. They agreed that the best course was to
head toward it, for it seemed to them that the rancher had probably
crossed the same at some point, or if he had not already done so, would
ride in that direction. Possibly, too, the father, despite the wishes he
had expressed, would suspect such a movement on the part of his son. If
so, the probability of their meeting was increased.

The air was clear, sharp, and bracing, with the sun shining from an
unclouded sky. It was a time to stir the blood, and had not the young
ranchers been oppressed by anxiety for their friends, they would have
bounded across the plain in the highest possible spirits. The ponies,
having no such fear, struck into a swinging gallop of their own accord,
which continued without interruption until more than half the
intervening distance was passed. All this time the youths were carefully
scanning the wooded ridge, as it rose more distinctly to view; for they
could not forget that they were more likely to meet hostiles than
friends in that section, and approaching it across an open plain, must
continue conspicuous objects to whatever Sioux were there.

"Tim," said Warren, as they rode easily beside each other, "unless I am
much mistaken, a fire is burning on the ridge."

"Where?"

"Almost directly ahead, but a little to the left; tell me whether you
can make it out."

The Irishman shaded his eyes with one hand, for the glare of the sun on
the snow was almost blinding, and after a moment's scrutiny, said:

"Ye are right; there