e same trail will lead us back to our party," said Tom.

"Yes, I shouldn't like to part from them in this country. It would be
rather a bad place to be lost without provisions."

They had ridden about five miles, when the trail became clearer and
better defined. In fact, the marks in the prairie grass appeared more
numerous than a single horse would be likely to make.

Scott looked grave.

"We will halt here a moment, Tom," he said. "I want to examine the
trail."

"Shall I get off my horse?"

"No; it is not necessary."

Scott dismounted and walked about, closely examining the marks in the
grass.

Finally he looked up.

"I begin to think it doubtful whether we shall recover Dan," he said.

"Why?"

"He has been found and carried off," was the reply. "Do you see the
double trail?"

"Yes," said Tom, after a brief examination.

"It means that a horseman has found Dan, and led him away. This rather
complicates matters."

"What do you think we had better do?" inquired Tom.

"That requires consideration. I could tell better if I knew by whom the
horse had been found. The finder may be honest, and would, in that case,
surrender it on our appearing, and claiming him. But, again, he may be
dishonest, and resist our claims."

"We are two to one," said Tom stoutly.

"We don't know that. The man may belong to a party."

"The members of his party would know that the horse was not his."

"Quite true, if the party was composed of decent persons, like our own;
but that is not certain."

"Then will you go back without Dan?" asked Tom.

"I don't want to do that. In fact I should be ashamed to. Captain
Fletcher would conclude that he might as well have sent Peabody; and I
am not anxious to be classed with him."

"Nor I," said Tom, smiling.

"So the only thing is to push on, and make what discoveries we may."

"All right," said Tom cheerfully.

They rode on for a couple of miles, having no difficulty in following
the trail, until they reached the brow of a small eminence. Here they
were greeted with a sight that startled them. A group of a dozen Indians
were reclining on the grass, with their horses fastened near them.
Startled as they were, they detected the animal of which they were in
search among the Indian horses.

"We've walked into a trap with our eyes open, Tom," said Scott, halting
his horse mechanically. His bronzed face was a little pale, for he knew
well the character of the savages before him,