might come down and try to stampede
the cattle.

The matter was settled by one-half the men staying to guard them, while
the other half went back to fetch up the waggons, the mule-drivers
having plenty to do in collecting the burdens that had been kicked off,
but which the mules submitted patiently enough to have replaced.

Still it was long on towards midnight before the waggons had all been
drawn up to the shores of the lake, whose soft moist grasses seemed like
paradise to the weary travellers over the desolate, dusty plains; and no
sooner had Bart tethered Black Boy, and seen him contentedly cropping
the grass, than, forgetful of Indians, hunger, everything but the fact
that he was wearied out, he threw himself down, and in less than a
minute he was fast asleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.

TAKING FULL POSSESSION.

Waking with the bright sun shining over the waters of the lake, the
cattle quietly browsing, and the well-watered horses enjoying a
thoroughly good feed, the troubles of the journey over the dreary plain
were pretty well forgotten, and as fires were lit and meals prepared,
there were bright faces around ready to give the Doctor a genial "good
morning."

Soon after those on the look-out, while the rest made a hearty meal to
prepare them for the toil of the day, announced Indians, and arms were
seized, while men stood ready to run to their horses and to protect
their cattle.

But there was no need for alarm, the new-comers being the Beaver and his
followers, who stated that they had come upon signs of Indians, and
found that they had been by the mountain within the past day or two.
But they had followed the trail, and found that their enemies had gone
due north, following the course of the Great Canyon, and it was probable
that they had finished their raid into these southern parts, and would
not return.

"If they do," said the Beaver, with contemptuous indifference, "our
young men shall kill them all. Their horses will be useful. They are
no good to live, for they are thieves and murderers without mercy."

The rest of the journey was soon achieved, and the waggons drawn up in
regular order close beside the mountain, while, after due inspection of
the cavernous place where Joses had remained concealed with the horses,
it was decided as a first step to construct with rocks a semi-circular
wall, whose two ends should rest against the perpendicular
mountain-side, and this would serve as a corral for