nd I've seen 'em, though I'll own
they're mighty scarce and I never knowed of any in this part of the
world. Howsumever, I won't purtend that I could see the color of a
man's eyes that fur, but I did see his hair, forehead and a part of
his ugly face. He knowed we was behind him all the time, and this one
wanted to find out what we was doing. When he larned that, they kept
on along the ledge, but there's no saying how fur they'll go afore
they find something's gone wrong."

Captain Dawson showed less interest in this by-play than the others.
He was not concerned with what was behind them, so much as with what
was in front. The belief was so strong with him that their persistent
travel through the night had brought them close to the fugitives that
he begrudged the time necessary for the animals to rest and eat.

Parson Brush felt that Adams was acting wisely in giving attention to
the rear. It would be the height of folly to disregard these
formidable warriors when they meant trouble. Brush rose to his feet
and using his palms as did the guide, scanned the country behind
them.

He saw nothing of any warrior peering around the rocks, but he did see
something, which escaped even the keen vision of Vose Adams himself.
Beyond the ledge and a little to the left, he observed a riderless
horse, with head high in air, and gazing at something which the two
white men could not see. The parson directed the attention of Vose to
the animal.

"By gracious! it's the chief's horse," he exclaimed; "do you see
that?"

The other two were now looking and all plainly saw a warrior advance
into view, approaching the animal, which, instead of being frightened,
seemed to recognize his friends, and remained motionless until the
Indian came up and grasped the thong about his neck. Then the two
passed from sight.

The identical thing prophesied by Vose Adams had occurred under the
eyes of the four pursuers. The steed of the dead chieftain had been
recovered, and it would not take the hostiles long to penetrate the
mystery of the matter. Vose was wise in taking the course he did, and
his companions were now inclined to believe his astonishing assertion
that he saw one of the number when he peeped around the curving ledge
and watched their actions.

However, it would have been absurd to wait where they were in order to
learn every move of their enemies, for that would have been a
voluntary abandonment of the advantage secured at the cost o