Bart was about to reply, but the Doctor began walking up and down
impatiently, for being more used than his ward in the ways of the
plains, he could not help feeling sure that there was danger, and this
idea grew upon him to such an extent that at last he roused the men from
their sleep, bidding them silently get the horses ready for an immediate
start, should it be necessary; and while this was going on, he went into
the tent.

"Maude--my child--quick!" he said quietly. "Don't be alarmed, but wake
up, and be ready for a long ride before dawn."

Maude was well accustomed to obey promptly all her father's orders, and
so used to the emergencies and perils of frontier life that she said
nothing, but rapidly prepared for their start, and in a few minutes she
was ready, with all her little travelling possessions in the saddle-bags
and valise that were strapped to her horse.

Just as the Doctor had seen that all was nearly ready, and that scarcely
anything more remained to be done than to strike the little tent, Joses
came running up.

"Well! what news?" said the Doctor, hurriedly.

"Injun--hundreds--mile away," said the plainsman in quick, sharp tones.
"Hah! good!" he added, as he saw the preparations that had been made.

"Bart, see to Maude's horse. Down with the tent, Joses; Harry, help
him. You, Juan and Sam, see to the horses."

Every order was obeyed with the promptitude displayed in men accustomed
to a life on the plains, and in a very few minutes the tent was down,
rolled up, and on the side of the waggon, the steeds were ready, and all
mounting save Juan, who took his place in front of the waggon to drive
its two horses, Dr Lascelles gave the word. Joses went to the front to
act as pioneer, and pick a way unencumbered with stones, so that the
waggon might go on in safety, and the camp was left behind.

Everything depended now upon silence. A shrill neigh from a mare would
have betrayed them; even the louder rattle of the waggon wheels might
have had that result, and brought upon them the marauding party, with a
result that the Doctor shuddered to contemplate. There were moments
when, in the face of such a danger, he felt disposed to make his way
back to civilisation, dreading now to take his child out with him into
the wilderness. But there was something so tempting in the freedom of
the life; he felt so sanguine of turning his knowledge of metallurgy to
some account; and what was more, it seemed so