e like so many cyclones."

"There is one way of letting them know," said Avon.

"What's that?"

"By carrying word to them, and _I'm going to try it_!"

CHAPTER IV.

A DESPERATE VENTURE.

The family of Texans were not the ones to indulge in sentimentality or
useless speculations when action was demanded. The first feeling of
amazement following Avon's announcement of his resolution quickly
passed, but his uncle deemed it his duty to impress upon him the
desperate nature of his scheme.

"I don't see one chance in twenty of your succeeding," said he.

"And if I stay what are the chances for us all?"

"Possibly one in a hundred."

"Then I shall go," he quietly replied, compressing his lips as his fine
eyes kindled.

"There is hope, if you can reach the bush, but the rub will be to do
_that_."

"They grow close to the house, and the Comanches will not be looking
for any attempt of that kind."

"Is it not best to wait until later?" asked Mrs. Shirril.

"No," was the sensible response of her nephew; "the prospect of success
will decrease with every passing minute. They will think, and with
reason, that we have repelled their first attack so sharply that we are
confident of beating them off altogether. After a time, when things
begin to look bad for us, they will look for something of that nature,
and be so well prepared for it that it will be hopeless."

"He is right," assented the captain. "I don't ask you to try it, Avon,
but, if you are determined to do so, now is the time."

"My sentiments exactly, and I'm going."

He dreaded anything in the nature of a scene, one reason for his moving
so promptly being his desire to avert such a trial.

But now that the momentous step was decided upon, the all-important
question remained as to the best means of making the start.

The whole interior of the lower story was so brightly illuminated by the
blaze on the hearth that the moment the door was opened, even for only a
few inches, it would show from the outside. Anxious as Avon was to be
off, he knew better than to start under such conditions.

"The sooner that fire goes out, the better for all of us," said the
captain; "it is too tempting to the scamps."

On the row of pegs near him hung several heavy blankets, such as are
used by all plainsmen and cowboys. Those which the captain and his
nephew meant to take on their journey northward were in camp five miles
away.

Setting down his gun, he lifted