"But don't forget that they may have done the same thing, and perhaps
are awaiting us near at hand."

"You may be right, Molly, and we cannot be too careful."

The words were barely uttered when the splashing of water behind them
left no doubt that the Sioux were again on their trail.

"Quick!" whispered the husband; "dismount; you can't ride the mare among
the trees; she will follow, and don't fail to keep close behind Dick."

It was important, above all things, to leave the spot before the red men
landed. Otherwise, they would hear the horses and locate them without
difficulty.

A disappointment awaited our friends. It will be remembered that the
fringe of timber on the other side was quite narrow, and they naturally
supposed it corresponded on the farther shore. But after threading their
way for double the distance, they were surprised to find no evidence of
the open plain beyond.

The rancher dared not continue farther while there was reason to fear
their pursuers were near. The brushing of the branches against the
bodies of the animals and the noise of their hoofs could be detected in
the silence, and was sure to betray the fugitives to any Sioux within a
hundred yards.

The wife understood why the halt was made. Her husband stole back and
placed himself by her side.

"You must be wearied with carrying Dot so long," he said sympathizingly.

"It is quite a trial," she replied, in the same guarded voice, "but
there is no help for it, and I beg you to give the matter no thought."

"Let me take her a while."

"No, that will not do; you must hold your gun ready for instant use, and
you could not do so with her in your arms. It is not so hard when we are
sitting on the mare, for it is easy to arrange it so that she supports
most of her weight."

"You are a good, brave woman, Molly, and deserve to be saved."

"Sh!" she admonished; "I hear something."

He knew she was right, for he caught the sound at the same moment.
Someone was stealing through the wood near them. It was a person, beyond
question, for a horse would have made more noise, and the sounds of his
hoofs would have been more distinct than anything else. That which, fell
upon their ears was the occasional crackling of a twig, and the brushing
aside of the obtruding limbs. No matter with what care an Indian warrior
threaded his way through the timber in this dense gloom, he could not
avoid such slight evidences of his movements--so slight, indee