oo tough
even for savages to use in war; and pizen is one of 'em, I reckons."

"For goodness sake bury it, Toby!" begged Smithy, turning pale as he
contemplated the object the guide was holding up. "And I surely hope
we will not have the misfortune to run across any of the same breed
while we're stalking those strange big-horn sheep."

"Not much danger, because rattlers they's apt at this time of year to
kim down to damp places, when they kin find such," the guide explained;
but at Thad's request he did put the piece of venison underground.

"If later on some hungry wolf digs it up, why, I'm sorry for that same
beast," Giraffe remarked, as they returned once more to the camp.

"Must be near time for us to skip out," said Step Hen, giving the
scoutmaster a look of entreaty, as though imploring Thad to be
merciful, and cut their waiting short.

"Five minutes yet before the half hour is gone," declared Allan.

An exclamation from the Indian drew their attention just then. The Fox
was pointing, and on following the direction of his extended brown
finger the boys saw what had caught his always vigilant eyes.

Away up on the top of the cliff that towered so many hundred feet
above its base several figures were moving. They were plainly men, and
white men at that. No need for any one to dart into the tent, and get
the field glass, in order to know who these parties were, though Thad
did secure it, as he wished a closer view.

"It's sure that Krackerjack crowd!" cried Giraffe. "Better get a move
on, Aleck, and drop out of sight before they glimpse you."

But the other shook his head.

"It's too late for that now," he declared. "Kracker has got a spy
glass leveled at this camp right now; and he's sure glimpsed me before
this."

And when Thad a minute later looked through the field glasses at the
three who were on the cliff he saw that Aleck had spoken truly; for
even then the biggest of the trio was watching them through a pair of
glasses.

Now and then he would turn, to say something to one of his companions.
These fellows, known as Waffles and Dickey Bird respectively, were not
in the same class with the giant Kracker, with regard to size; though
as to reputation, possibly they were able to run him a close race;
since they were all looked upon as a pretty bad lot by the settlers
and miners with whom they came in contact.

"Wonder what he thinks?" remarked Davy Jones, who seemed almost
tempted to try and use his