ptain. "I see it is raining. We had better go back to the
cliff for protection."

"Don't do it!" cried old Benson, from out of the darkness. "The tree
struck the cliff a heavy blow, and we don't want that down on our heads
next."

"No, let us give the cliff a wide berth," said Darry. "I'd rather remain
right out in the open and get soaked than take any more risks."

"The rain won't amount to much," said Benson. "It never does after such
a hurricane."

The scout was right, and in less than half an hour after it had begun
the downpour was over and the stars were struggling forth in the sky.
Without delay a camp-fire was lit, and the blaze did much toward making
them comfortable. It was found that Benson's wound was by far the worst,
yet the old scout said it would not interfere with his outing.

"I've had lots of 'em in my time," was the way he expressed himself.
"Lots, and I aint dead yet. 'Pears to me I'm about as tough as a
pine-knot."

It was found that the horses had not suffered in the least from the
storm, although they had been much frightened. Soon they calmed down,
and by midnight all was as quiet as if nothing out of the ordinary had
occurred. But Captain Moore and old Benson carried the marks of the
adventure for many days after.

On the following morning no one felt much in the humor for hunting, and
half a day was lost in "bumming around," as Joe expressed it. This gave
all a good rest and put the horses in fine fettle, and when they started
out after the midday meal all were once again in high spirits.

That night found them on the edge of what old Benson called the buffalo
ground, a broad valley where the grass was thick and of a peculiar
richness. On the way they had shot a number of birds and also a few
small animals, but nothing of importance. Once some deer had been
sighted, but the game was too far off to be pursued.

As they expected to remain at this point until ready to return home, the
old scout proceeded to put up a shelter of brush, which, when completed,
was almost as comfortable as a cabin. On the bottom were strewn pine
boughs, which gave the shelter a peculiar odor.

"Best thing in the world for colds and weak lungs, that smell," said
Benson. "I've never known it to fail." The boys declared that the odor
made them sleep "like logs."

"It's queer we haven't seen any Indians," remarked Darry. "I thought
these mountains were full of them."

"They were full, before the fort was es