o the intense
satisfaction of both, the slight lameness grew better and promised well
for the next day.

They kept to a walk, pausing wherever a good view back could be
obtained, till it began to grow dark, but they kept steadily on.

"Another hour ought to bring us to camp," said Griggs suddenly.

"And they'll be waiting supper for us," said Chris. "I hope they have
done a little shooting. A turkey would be splendid to-night. Don't you
think so?" added the boy, after waiting in vain for an answer.

"I was thinking about something else," said the American slowly.

"What about--the gold city?"

"No, my lad, I was thinking about how awkward it would be if the Indians
had found a better road than we did, and had got to the camp while we've
been away."

"Griggs!" cried Chris in an agonised voice.--"Oh, nonsense! You said
that to scare me."

"No; it's too serious a thing to cut jokes about. This is a big
country, and we are only feeling our way, being strangers. Those Indian
fellows were born in it, and must know it by heart."

"Here, let's ride on as fast as we can," said Chris huskily. "You
think, then, that they may have been surprised?"

"I only felt that it might be possible."

"Then let's get on at full speed," cried Chris. "It's horrible to think
that they may be wanting our help."

"We can't ride at full speed," said Griggs quietly, "only go at a walk;
and I dare say it's all my fancy."

"But we might go faster than this," said Chris excitedly.

"No; the way's so bad that we should only throw our ponies down."

"But if--" began Chris.

"But if anything had happened there we should want our ponies to be
fresh and ready for a gallop. It would be madness to hurry them over
rough ground. There, I'm sorry I spoke, lad, for I honestly believe
that I have alarmed you for nothing."

"I can't help thinking it is not for nothing," said Chris bitterly.
"Why do you say that now? It's only to comfort me."

"Not quite all. I've been thinking. Suppose the camp has been
attacked. It could not have been from this side."

"No, because we should have seen the Indians."

"Then it must have been from the other."

"Of course."

"What would the doctor do then?"

"Defend it to--the last," said Chris, with the final words seeming to
stick before they would come.

"No, he wouldn't; he'd keep up a running fight."

"What, retreating?"

"I should say so; retiring on the detachment he had sent out,