giving warning should they approach; the plan being to take
refuge beneath the gallery, where they would be covered by the rifles of
Joses and their friends.

It was not at all a difficult task to satisfy the most exacting that
ascent from the plain anywhere from the gallery to the precipice at the
edge of the canyon was utterly impossible; and after carefully examining
every crack and rift that ran upwards, the little party cantered back,
said a few words to Joses, and then prepared for their more risky task,
that of examining the mountain round by its northern and more open side,
for there was no cover here, and their path would be more fully in view
of any watchful eye upon the plain.

They drew up by the gateway, and had a few minutes' conversation with
the Doctor, who said at parting:

"You can soon satisfy yourself, Bart; but give a good look up as you
come back, in case you may have missed anything in going."

"I'll be careful," said Bart eagerly.

"Mind that scouts are left. I should leave at least three at different
points on the road. They can give you warning at once. Then gallop
back as if you were in a race. We shall be ready to cover you with our
rifles if they come on. Now lose no time. Go!"

Bart touched Black Boy with his heels, and went off at a canter, but
checked his speed instantly, so that he might the more easily gaze up at
the mountain-side, while, thoroughly intent upon his task, the Beaver
left scouts at intervals, each man backing close in to the rock, and
sitting there like a statue watching the plain.

No Indians were in sight as far as Bart could see, and he rode slowly
on, inspecting every opening in the face of the mountain, and so intent
upon his task that he left the care of his person to the chief, whose
watchful eyes were everywhere, now pointing out rifts in the rock, now
searching the plain.

It was a much longer distance, and the importance of the task and its
risk gave a piquancy to the ride that made the blood dance through
Bart's veins. He could not help a little shudder running through him
from time to time, though it was almost more of a thrill, and he could
not have told, had he been asked, whether it was a thrill of dread or of
pleasure. Perhaps there may have been more of the former, for he kept
glancing over his right shoulder from time to time to see if a body of
Indians might be sweeping at full gallop over the plain.

Half the distance was ridden over,