you know."

She leaned upon his arm, and they ascended the path to the plain
above.

Frank's horse was grazing near by where the scarlet youth had taken
his unceremonious tumble.

Off to the north-west a cloud of dust rose heavenward, and he rightly
conjectured that it hid from view the chieftain, Sitting Bull, and his
warriors.

His thoughts reverting to his companion, "General" Nix, and the train
of Charity Joe, he glanced toward where he had last seen them.

Neither were to be seen, now. Probably Nix had rejoined the train, and
it was out of eye-shot behind a swell in the plains.

"Were you looking for some one?" Alice asked, looking into her
rescuer's face.

"Yes, I was with a train when I first heard your cries; I left the
boys, and came to investigate. I guess they have gone on without me."

"How mean of them! Will we have to make the journey to the Hills
alone?"

"Yes, unless we should providentially fall in with a train or be
overtaken by a stage."

"Are you not afraid?"

"My cognomen is Fearless Frank, lady; you can draw conclusions from
that."

He went and caught the horse, arranged a blanket in the saddle so that
she could ride side-fashion, and assisted her to mount.

The sun was touching the lips of the horizon with a golden kiss; more
time than Frank had supposed' had elapsed since he left the train.

Far off toward the east shadows were hugging close behind the last
lingering rays of sunlight; a couple of coyotes were sneaking into
view a few rods away; birds were winging homeward; a perfume-laden
breeze swept down from the Black Hills, and fanned the pink cheeks of
Alice Terry into a vivid glow.

"We cannot go far," said Frank, thoughtfully, "before darkness will
overtake us. Perhaps we had better remain in the canal, here, where
there is both grass and water. In the morning we will take a fresh
start."

The plan was adopted; they camped in the break, or "canal," near where
Alice had been tortured.

Out of his saddle-bags Frank brought forth crackers, biscuit and dried
venison; these, with clear sparkling water from the spring in the
chaparral, made a meal good enough for anybody.

The night was warm; no fire was needed.

A blanket spread on the grass served as a resting-place for Alice; the
strange youth in scarlet lay with his head resting against the side of
his horse. The least movement of the animal, he said, would arouse
him; he was keen of scent and quick to detect dange