e scout, and the hero of many an Indian
fight.

Nick knew where the Indian village was situated, and which way Broken
Feather was most likely to take.

"They're plumb sure ter pass through One Tree Gulch," he declared. "We
c'n overtake them in the defile, goin' by way of Poison Spider Creek
and the old Buffalo Trail, droppin' on 'em when they least expect us."

They saw no sign of the Indians for several miles; not even on the wide
expanse of Laramie Plain. Here, however, Nick Undrell pointed to the
dusty ground where the track of a horse crossed his path obliquely.

"See that, Mr. Birkenshaw?" he said, glancing along the distinct line
of hoof marks. "That rider, whoever he is, wasn't dawdlin' none.
Looks as if ho was makin' fer the far side of White Bull Ridge, which
ain't a thousand miles from Broken Feather's village. Anybody you
know? Ridin' a big horse, he is, shod by a town blacksmith. Might
have started from the neighbourhood of your camp just about the time
you stopped shootin'."

"Don't know nothin' about him," returned Gideon. "He ain't one of our
lot, anyhow. Push along, Nick. I'm frettin' considerable about my
Arab mare. Wouldn't have exchanged her fer any hoss as ever chewed
grass."

"No, and I'm figurin' as Broken Feather won't be a whole lot eager to
part with her, now he's gotten a cinch on her," rejoined Nick.

"Gid!" Abe Harum called from behind, "thar's dust risin' from the mouth
of One Tree Gulch. If we puts on a hustle we shall drop on 'em 'fore
they gets out on the open prairie."

They spurred their ponies to the gallop. They raced at top speed into
the gulch, caring nothing for the clatter of hoofs, knowing that there
could be no escape for the mounted Redskins up the steep hillsides.
Midway along the defile, where it widened beyond a projecting spur of
cliff, they saw the Indians driving the stolen herd of horses before
them, urging them with yells and stinging quirts.

Nick Undrell divided his forces into two companies, giving them
instructions to ride forward, one on either flank of the enemy, with
the endeavour to head them off. Nick himself, with Abe Harum, was to
remain in the rear, as support, while Isa Blagg and Gideon Birkenshaw
were, if possible, to work their way round to the captured ponies and
cut them off from the Indians, to be rounded-up after the expected
fight.

Gideon so far succeeded in his object as to get in advance of the
Redskin rearguard. By ridi