at objection to being shot at, and a greater
objection to being hit. So instead of riding boldly up, and finding out
that Bart had just galloped away, the Apaches approached by means of
three or four dismounted men, who crept slowly from clump of brush to
patch of long grass, and so on and on, till first one and then another
reached the edge of the woody place, where they rested for a time,
eagerly scanning each leaf and tree-trunk for an enemy at whom to fire,
or who would fire at them.

Then they crept on a little farther, and found Bart's halting-place and
the feeding-ground of the horse. Then they came by degrees upon his
trail through the wood, all very fresh, and still they went on
cautiously, and like men to whom a false step meant a fatal
bullet-wound, while all the time their companions sat there upon the
plain, keen and watchful, ready for action at a moment's notice, and
waiting the signal to come on.

At last this came, for the advanced dismounted scouts had traced the
trail to the farther edge of the wood, and seen even the deep impression
made by Bart's foot as he sprang upon his steed.

Then the mounted Apaches came on at a great rate, dashed through the
wood and came up to their friends, who triumphantly pointed to the
emerging trail, and on they all went once more, one man only remaining
dismounted to lead the party, while the rest followed close behind.

This little piece of caution had given poor Bart two hours' start, and
when the Indians came out of the wood, he had been a long time out of
sight; but there was his plainly marked trail, and that they could
follow, and meant to follow to the end.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

THE END OF THE RACE.

Bart had the advantage of his enemies in this, that as long as he could
keep well out of sight across the plains, he could go on as fast as his
horse could gallop, while they had to cautiously track his every step.
Then, too, when he came to dry, rocky, or stony portions, he took
advantage thereof, for he knew that his horse's hoof-prints would be
indistinct, and sometimes disappear altogether. These portions of the
trail gave the Apaches endless difficulty, but they kept on tracking him
step by step, and one slip on the lad's part would have been fatal.

Fortune favoured him, though, and he pressed on, hitting the backward
route pretty accurately, and recognising the various mountains and hills
they had passed under the Beaver's guidance; and every