three parts of the men were hurried down to the
nearest point where there was an abundance of buffalo-grass really in a
state of naturally-made hay, and bundles of this were cut and carried to
the starving cattle.

It was a terribly arduous job in the hot sun; and it made the Doctor
think that if matters went on in this way, the silver procured from the
mine would be very dearly bought.

Even with all their efforts there was but a very scanty supply obtained,
and of that Joses declared the mules got by far the best share, biting
and kicking at the horses whenever they approached, and driving the more
timid quite away.

Strict watch was kept that night, but no Apaches came, and as soon as it
was light the next morning the horizon was swept in the hope of finding
that they were gone; but no such good fortune attended the
silver-miners, and instead, to the Doctor's chagrin, of their being able
to continue their toil of obtaining the precious metal, it was thought
advisable to go out and cut more fodder for the starving beasts.

The next day came, and no Apaches were visible.

"We can drive the cattle out to-day, Beaver," said the Doctor; "the
enemy are gone."

"The Apache dogs are only hiding," replied the chief, "and will ride
down as soon as the cattle are feeding by the lake."

The Doctor uttered an impatient ejaculation and turned to Joses.

"What do you say?" he asked.

"Beaver's right, master."

"Well, perhaps he is; but we can't go on like this," cried the Doctor,
impatiently. "No silver can be dug if the men are to be always cutting
grass. Here! you and Harry and a dozen greasers, drive out half the
cattle to feed. Bart, you take the glass, and keep watch from high up
the path. The signal of danger directly you see the Indians is the
firing of your piece. If you hear that fired, Joses, you are to drive
in the cattle directly, and we will cover your return."

"Good!" said Joses; and without a word he summoned Harry and a dozen
men, going off directly after through the gateway to the corral, saying
to Bart, as he went, "Of course, I do as master tells me, but you keep a
sharp look-out, Master Bart, or we shan't get them bullocks and cows
back."

Bart promised, and took his station, rifle across his knee and glass in
hand, to look out for danger, while before he had been there long the
Beaver came and sat beside him, making Bart hurriedly apologise for the
risk he had caused on the day of their ad