ere they could
stand a better chance of hunting him down in the full light of day. But
if they did attempt such a thing he began wondering whether it would be
possible to lead them a long chase, gradually working round till he
could make a dash for the gulch and so join his friends.

He could not help feeling that there was little likelihood of this, and
then his attention was taken up by the strengthening of the light away
to his right, and he started with surprise to see that, from a different
point of view of course, he could look upon the very spot where Wilton
had caught sight of the Indians gazing down into the valley before
drawing back and taking evidently a long round to reach the narrow
ravine which had afforded him an outlet of escape.

It was growing light now fast, as he stood holding his pony's rein, and
he began to follow the track that the Indians must have taken from the
head of the depression, now full in view, bearing round to his right
until they reached the ravine up which he had come. He tried to make
out where that might be, but it was darker there, and for some time,
eager as he was to locate the spot for reasons connected with using it
again as a means of escape, though in a reverse way, it was some time
before he could make out where the gradual descent from the tableland
began.

But the reason was very simple. It was dim there, the eastern light not
touching that part, and for another reason he was not looking far enough
away from the edge of the cliffs by about a couple of miles. But as the
day broadened the way of escape was revealed in a manner which took his
breath away, for there, clearly seen in the pale morning light, was the
head of a long line of mounted men, the first half-dozen in full view,
the others diminishing in height slowly as they ascended the slope,
three-quarters, half, a quarter length, so that the last man's head
alone was visible, and growing slowly as it seemed to be rising from the
earth.

"After us, old chap," cried Chris bitterly, to his pony. "Now then, are
you rested? It's going to be another ride for life.

"Which way?" he almost groaned, the next moment, as he looked wildly
round. "Oh, why did we come to hunt for this wretched gold?"

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

PLAYING FROG.

It seemed to Chris as if any attempt at hiding would be folly, for if he
could see the enemy where the light was not so clear he felt certain
that the Indians must have seen h