nse
enough left in the midst of my scare to push on first and make sure.
You can't think what a feeling of relief it gave me when you answered.
I say, it would be awful if either of us were lost."

"Awful indeed," said Bourne, with a sigh. "We're on a wild chase,
Wilton."

"We are; but we're in for it, and we must carry it through."

"I suppose so; but one night like this is enough. I say, will it ever
be morning?"

There was no reply, and they went on for a few minutes in silence, and
then there was a sudden check.

"What's wrong now?" said Wilton sharply.

"Anything the matter, Lee?" cried Bourne, for the mules seemed to have
come to a sudden stop, just as if all had been moved by one impulse
communicated to them by their leader.

"I don't know yet, and I'm obliged to be very cautious."

"Strikes me that we've been coming up and up for the last hour, sir,"
said Griggs, "and that we're now just at the edge of a canon with a drop
down to nowhere just ahead. Skeeter came to a stop all at once."

"I'll get down and see what I can make out with the lanthorn."

"Wait a minute, sir, while I get a rope uncoiled. You shall have it
fast round you and the other end to my saddle. These places go straight
down sometimes hundreds of feet to a river. Listen! Can you hear
water?"

There was silence for a few moments before the doctor said--

"No."

"Too deep down perhaps, sir."

"Well, I can soon see if I go cautiously, and you let the rope pass
slowly through your hands. But try first if the bell-mule will take a
step or two in advance."

"Not he, sir. I can see; he's got his legs all spread-out like a
milking-stool."

The doctor was off his horse, and the next minute he was advancing
slowly, with the lanthorn held near the ground.

"There's nothing here that need have stopped him, but--Oh, what a
blessing!"

"What is, sir?"

"Here's short grass, and the mules cropping it."

"Then there's no canon, sir," said Griggs sharply. "The poor brutes are
all dead beat; they've come to something that they can nibble, and
they've struck work. The ponies are at it too. It's as good as saying
that they won't stir another peg till daylight, if they will then."

"Why, two of the mules have regularly squatted down, with their loads
touching the ground," said the doctor, holding up the lanthorn.

"Yes, it's all right, sir," cried Griggs. "There's no canon, but level
ground all about, I'll be bound. They've