recross the stream higher up and so to come among the horses.

As I had hoped to find them, the saddles were hung upon the branches of
the nearest trees, Margery's horse-furnishings among them. At first the
black mare was shy of me, but a gentling word or two won her over, and
she let me take her by the forelock and lead her deeper into the herd
where I could saddle and bridle her in greater safety.

My plan to cut her out was simple enough. Trusting to the darkness--the
horse meadow was far enough from the fires to make a murky twilight of
the ruddy glow--I thought to lead the mare quietly away up the stream
and thus on to the foot of that ravine by which we hoped to climb to the
old borderer's rendezvous on the plateau. But when all was ready and I
sought to set this plan in action, an unforeseen obstacle barred the
way. To keep the horses from straying up the valley an Indian sentry
line was strung above the grazing meadow, and into this I blundered like
any unlicked knave of a raw recruit.

Had I been armed, the warrior who rose before me phantom-like in the
laurel edging of the meadow would have had a most sharp-pointed answer
to his challenge. As it was,--I had left my sword with Jennifer because
the captured trooper whose understudy I was had left his sword in
camp,--I tried to parley with the sentry. He knew no word of English,
nor I of Cherokee; but that deadlock was speedily broken. A guttural
call summoned others of the horse-keepers, and among them one who spoke
a little English.

"Ugh! What for take white squaw horse?" he demanded.

"'Tis the captain's order," I replied, lying boldly to fit the crisis.

At that they gave me room; and had I hastened, I had doubtless gone at
large without more ado. But at this very apex point of hazard I must
needs play out the part of unalarm to the fool's _envoi_, taking time to
part the mare's forelock under the head-stall, and looking leisurely to
the lacings of the saddle-girth.

This foolhardy delay cost me all, and more than all. I was still
fiddle-faddling with the girth strap, the better to impose upon my
Indian horse-guards, when suddenly there arose a yelling hubbub of
laughter in the camp behind. I turned to look and beheld a thing
laughable enough, no doubt, and yet it broke no bubble of mirth in me.
Half-way from the nearest forest fringe to the great fire a man, white
of skin, and clothed only in a pair of trooper boots, was running
swiftly for cover to