who are often the most reliable sentinels
in the presence of insidious danger. Two of them had stopped plucking
the grass, and, with their ears pricked, were staring up the canyon at
some object that had attracted their attention and that was invisible
to their owners in their present situation.

Convinced that something unusual had taken place, Ruggles walked out
into the canyon where he could gain a more extended view. One sweeping
glance was enough, when he hurried back to his companions.

"Thunderation! all Sacramento's broke loose and is coming this way!"

The three passed out from the side of the gorge to where they had a
view of the strange procession. There seemed to be about a dozen men,
mounted on mules, with as many more pack animals, coming from the west
in a straggling procession, talking loudly and apparently in exuberant
spirits.

"I don't like their looks," said Brush; "it is best to get our
property out of their way."

The counsel was good and was followed without a minute's delay. The
four animals were rounded up and turned into the ravine, up which Vose
Adams had disappeared. They gave no trouble, but, probably because of
the steepness of the slope, none of the four went beyond sight. Had
the three men been given warning, they would have placed them out of
reach, for none knew better than they how attractive horses are to men
beyond the power of the law. But it was too late now, and the little
party put on a bold front.

As the strangers drew near, they were seen to be nine in number and
they formed a motley company. Their pack mules were so cumbrously
loaded as to suggest country wagons piled with hay. The wonder was how
the tough little animals could carry such enormous burdens, consisting
of blankets, picks, shovels, guns, cooking utensils, including even
some articles of furniture.

Our older readers will recall that for years after the close of the
war, tens of thousands of the blue army overcoats were in use
throughout the country. It looked as if every man in the present
company was thus provided, including in many instances trousers of the
same material, though each person had discarded the army cap for a
soft slouch hat, similar to those worn by the miners. All the garments
were in a dilapidated condition, proving their rough usage as well as
their poor quality. Many of the heavy boots disclosed naked toes,
while the mules had not known a curry comb for weeks and perhaps
months.

T