ss, at a great rate. It seemed play
for their fine horses, which arched their necks and sped on, not a drop
of perspiration yet staining their glossy skins. Ned felt the thrill, as
the ground spun back under his horse's feet, and the air rushed past his
face. It did not occur to him that the Lipans could overtake them, and
their pursuit merely added a fresh spice to a magnificent ride.

He took another look back. The Lipans, although they had lost ground,
were still following. They came in a close group, carrying, besides
their arms, shields, made of layers of buffalo hide. Several wore
magnificent war bonnets. Otherwise all were naked save for the
breech-cloth, and their brown bodies were glistening with war paint.
Behind them, yet came the black front of the buffalo herd, but it was a
full mile away.

Obed looked also, and his heart smote him. Older and more experienced
than Ned, he knew that with the fierce Lipans the most powerful of all
lures was the lure of scalps. Just as the wolf can trail down the moose
at last, they could follow for days on their tough mustangs. But as he
shifted his good rifle a bit he felt better. Both he and Ned were
splendid marksmen, and if the chase were a success for the Lipans there
would also be a bitter fight at the end of it.

Now he and Ned ceased to talk, the sun blazed down on the plain, and on
sped the chase, hour after hour.

CHAPTER XII

THE TRIAL OF PATIENCE

The hours of the afternoon trailed slowly away, one by one. Perspiration
appeared at last upon the glossy skins of the horses, but their stride
did not abate. The powerful muscles still worked with their full
strength and ease. Ned never felt a tremor in the splendid horse beneath
him. But when he looked back again there were the Lipans, a little
further away, but hanging on as grimly as before, still riding in a
close group.

Ned began to understand now the deadly nature of the pursuit. These
Lipans would follow not merely for hours, but into the night, and if he
and Obed were lost to sight in the darkness they would pick up the trail
the next day by the hoof prints on the plain. He felt with absolute
certainty that chance had brought upon them one of the deadliest dangers
they had yet encountered.

"It's growing a little cooler, Obed," he said.

"So it is. The evening wanes. But, Ned, do you see any sign of forest or
high hills ahead?"

"I do not, Obed. There is nothing but the plain which waves li