my brave lad," cried the Doctor with emotion, "but it is
going to be a terrible night."

"The safer for our purpose, sir," replied Bart. "There, sir, I won't
tell a lie, and say I do not feel timid, because I do; but I mean to
mount and ride off boldly, and you'll see I'll bring back plenty of
help, and as quickly as I can."

"But wait another night, my lad; it will be finer perhaps. There is no
moon, and if it clouds over, you will never find your way to the lake."

"Black Boy will, sir, I know," said Bart laughing. "I am keeping him
without water on purpose."

"A clever idea, Bart," said the Doctor.

"Yes, sir," said Bart, "but it is not mine. It was the Beaver's notion.
Those dismounted Indians are coming right in, sir, I think," he said.

"Yes, without doubt, Bart," exclaimed the Doctor, watching them. "Yes,
they mean to get somewhere close up. There will be an attack to-night."

"Then I shall gallop away from it," said Bart laughing, "for I am afraid
of fighting."

Two hours later, Black Boy, already saddled and bridled, a good blanket
rolled up on his saddle-bow, and a bag of meal and some dried
bison-flesh attached to his pad behind, was led down the rugged way to
the gate, which had been opened out ready. Joses and the Indians were
on either side ready with their rifles as the lad mounted in the outer
darkness and silence; a few farewell words were uttered, and he made his
plans as to the direction in which he meant to ride, which was pretty
close in to the side of the mountain for about a quarter of a mile, and
then away at right angles for the end of the lake.

"Good-bye, my boy, and God be with you," whispered the Doctor, pressing
one hand.

"Take care of yourself, dear lad," whispered Joses, pressing the other,
and then giving way to the chief, who bent forward, saying, in his low,
grave voice--

"The Beaver-with-Sharp-Teeth would like to ride beside the brave young
chief, but the Great Spirit says it must not be. Go; you can laugh at
the Apache dogs."

Bart could not answer, but pressed his steed's sides, and the brave
little animal would have gone off through the intense darkness at a
gallop; but this was not what Bart wished, and checking him, Black Boy
ambled over the soft ground, avoiding the rocks and tall prickly cacti
with wonderful skill, while Bart sat there, his ears attent and nostrils
distended, listening for the slightest sound of danger, as the Indians
might be swarming