ove was to tie him up good and fast, and then gag him. Then I
went back for Tom, who was much relieved to see me.

"'Where are the boys?' he inquired anxiously.

"'They evidently haven't returned,' I replied, 'but I am sure they are
all right.'

"But I, too, was worried, though I did not wish to alarm Tom. So I put
the best face on it that was possible.

"'Did you see the Apache?' asked Tom.

"'Yes, and fortunately before he saw me,' I replied.

"'Did you get him?'

"'Just in time,' I replied, 'he was helping himself to our pack animals,
when I arrested him with my rifle.'

"'Where is he now?' Tom inquired.

"'Oh, he is down the canyon a ways snugly tied up in a bundle.'

"I determined to get some idea of where the missing boys were. So I left
Tom to guard the pack animals and I rode down to the mouth of the
canyon and found the trail easily, where they had ridden south in the
search for antelope.

"I was by this time thoroughly alarmed, and the conviction forced itself
on me that they had been killed by the Apaches, but I shook the thought
off. I would not have it so.

"That Jim and Jo were in difficulties of some kind was certain, and it
was up to me to get them out of it. But what should I do, and where
should I look? Then suddenly the problem was solved for me. I had ridden
to a place where I could see the whole sweep of plains to the south, but
keeping under cover of the growth of oaks that fringed the base of the
foot hills, when I saw a war party of Apaches at a distance of several
miles, making straight for the mountain.

"Instinctively I recognized their object and I likewise knew that so
large a party would not be going back into the mountains so late in the
day unless upon some special quest.

"In a short time the whole party of braves had disappeared into a canyon
whose location I marked exactly. They have got those boys corraled in
there, I said to myself, there is no question about that. I bet they are
making a brave fight, those two, but they will have reinforcements
pretty soon, or my name is not Captain Graves.

"'Did you see any signs of them?' inquired Tom eagerly, as I came up to
him.

"'I have them located,' I replied.

"'Where?'

"'Only in a general way, but I suspect that the Apaches have them
located specifically.'

"'But not staked out,' said Tom.

"A shudder went through me, for Tom did not realize the significance of
the phrase with its suggestion of Indian torture.