ay's work in their life; some were aged men, encumbered with wives and
large families, and Frank wondered how these would ever survive the
terrible journey across the plains, even if they escaped all molestation
from the marauding Indians. He paused for a moment near four men who
were seated round a fire cooking their meals.

All were sturdy, sunburnt men, who looked inured to hardship and work.
The fact that all were animated by a common impulse rendered every one
friendly and communicative, and Frank was at once invited to sit down.

"Of course you are going through, young fellow?"

"Yes," Frank said, "I am going to try."

"Got a horse, I suppose?"

"Yes," Frank said, "a riding horse, and a pony for my baggage."

"We calls it swag out on the plains," one said; "we don't talk of
baggage here. Are you with any one?"

"No," Frank replied, "I am alone; but I am open to join some party. I
suppose there will be no difficulty about that."

"None on airth," the other answered; "the stronger the better. In course
you have a rifle, besides that Colt in your belt."

"Yes," Frank replied; "but I suppose all this Indian talk is
exaggeration, and there is not much danger from them."

"Don't you go to think it, young man; the Injins is thar, you bet, and
no mistake, and a big grist of scalps they will take. The news of this
here percession across the plains will bring them down as thick as bees
on the track, and I tell you there will be some tough fights afore we
get across."

"Have you had much experience of the plains?" Frank asked.

"We are hunters," the other said briefly, "and have been out there, more
or less, since we were boys. We knows what Injins is, and have fought
them agin and agin; but none of us have ever made this journey,--indeed
there warn't five men who had ever crossed the Rockies by the northern
track afore the gold scare began. But I know enough of the country to
know as it will be a fearful journey, and full half of these people as
you see fooling about here as if they were out for a summer excursion
will leave their bones by the way."

"You don't really think things are as bad as that," Frank said.

"I does," the other replied emphatically. "What with Injins, and want of
food and water, and fatigue, and the journey across the plains, it will
want all a man to make the journey. We four means to get through, and
are bound to do it; but as for this crowd you see here, God help them!"

"Do you me