earth, its sling-strap hanging loose, and its muzzle
lying in his hand as he leaned against a rock and looked sharply from
face to face, waiting to hear the result of the conversation.

His appearance was different to that of his companions, for he wore a
closely fitting tunic and loose breeches of what at the first glance
seemed to be dark tan-coloured velvet, but a second look showed to be
very soft, well-prepared deerskin; stout gaiters of a hard leather
protected his legs; a belt, looped so as to form a cartridge-holder, and
a natty little felt hat, completed his costume.

Like the half-breeds, he wore a formidable knife in his belt, while on
their part each had near him a rifle.

"Well," said the speaker, after a long pause, "you do not speak; I say,
are you afraid?"

"I dunno, master," said the man addressed. "I don't feel afraid now,
but if a lot of Injuns come whooping and swooping down upon us full
gallop, I dessay I should feel a bit queer."

There was a growl of acquiescence here from the other men, and the first
speaker went on.

"Well," he said, "let us understand our position at once. I would
rather go on alone than with men I could not trust."

"Always did trust us, master," said the man surlily.

"Allays," said the one nearest to him, a swarthier, more surly, and
fiercer-looking fellow than his companion.

"I always did, Joses; I always did, Juan; and you too, Harry and Sam,"
said the first speaker. "I was always proud of the way in which my
ranche was protected and my cattle cared for."

"We could not help the Injuns stampeding the lot, master, time after
time."

"And ruining me at last, my lads? No; it was no fault of yours. I
suppose it was my own."

"No, master, it was setting up so close to the hunting-grounds, and the
Injun being so near."

"Ah well, we need not consider how all that came to pass, my lads: we
know they ruined me."

"And you never killed one o' them for it, master," growled Joses.

"Nor wished to, my lad. They did not take our lives."

"But they would if they could have broken in and burnt us out, master,"
growled Joses.

"Perhaps so; well, let us understand one another. Are you afraid?"

"Suppose we all are, master," said the man.

"And you want to go back?"

"No, not one of us, master."

Here there was a growl of satisfaction.

"But you object to going forward, my men?"

"Well, you see it's like this, master: the boys here all want to work
for