for I
used to play with them; but I had no idea of enticing them away from
their masters."

"They must have found out that we are not with the train, and bolting,
followed up our trail," remarked Loraine. "We cannot drive them back
now."

The dogs were quickly up to the riders, and seemed highly delighted to
find Hector, jumping up on either side of him.

The prairie which Loraine and his companions were traversing was almost
treeless; but not many years before it had been covered with a pine
forest, destroyed by one of the ruthless prairie fires which so often
sweep over the north-west territory. Here and there, however, by the
sides of streams, or pools, numerous aspens--the fastest growing trees
in that region--had again sprung up, their stems being of considerable
thickness, while their light foliage gave a cheerful aspect to the
otherwise dreary scenery. When the ground allowed it, they occasionally
put their horses into a gallop--a pace well suited to their tempers. At
the same time, they knew that they must not run the risk of knocking up
their animals, or they would fail in their object of making a quick
journey.

They had gone on for some time, when Hector's tough little horse
suddenly came down, and threw him over its head.

"Don't care for me," he cried; "but I'm afraid my horse has broken its
leg."

The animal had put its foot into a badger-hole. After making some
violent struggles, however, it recovered itself, and Hector, getting
hold of its bridle, remounted.

"We must keep a better look-out for the badger-holes. It wouldn't be
pleasant to have to continue our journey on foot," he said, laughing.

Having stopped by the side of a pool to take a mid-day meal, give their
horses water, and allow them to crop as much grass as they could during
the time, the travellers pushed on until nightfall, when they encamped
under shelter of a grove of aspens, close to a stream, which flowed into
the South Saskatchewan. By Greensnake's advice, only a small fire was
lighted, which was to be put out when they had cooked their supper.

As soon as he had finished his meal, the Indian, taking his blanket,
went and lay down close to where the horses which had been hobbled were
feeding; while Loraine and Hector rolled themselves in their buffalo
robes, leaving the two dogs to keep watch by their sides.

CHAPTER THREE.

Fort Duncan, to which it is time the reader should be introduced, lay
bathed in the