as the
fugitives wished to do, but they were too tough to suffer much.

Then the blankets were distributed, and so placed that when the husband
and wife huddled together against the base of the rocks, they, as well
as Dot, were quite comfortable. The rancher might have gathered wood and
started a fire, but it was not needed, and they feared the consequences
of such a proceeding. They were so worn out with the trials and toil of
the night, that they soon sank into a deep slumber which lasted till
morning. Then, upon awaking, the first act of the rancher was to
ascertain his bearings, so far as it was possible to do so.

The result was the disheartening conviction that they were no nearer
Fort Meade than when they forded the last stream early on the preceding
night.

CHAPTER XIX.

A STARTLING SURPRISE.

We must not forget that young Warren Starr and Tim Brophy have an
important part to play in the incidents we have set out to relate.

We left them in the wooded rocky section, where they had spent the night
together in the rude shelter erected a year before when on their hunting
excursions. They were awakened by the frenzied cry of the young
Irishman's horse, and appeared on the scene just in time to save the
pony from a grizzly bear, who made things exceedingly lively for the
young gentlemen themselves.

But relieved of their peril, they sat down like sensible persons to make
their morning meal from the lunch brought thither by Tim. They ate
heartily, never pausing until the last particle of food was gone. Then
they rose like giants refreshed with new wine.

"Now," said Warren, "we will mount the ponies, and instead of making for
the fort will try to find the folks."

"I'm wid ye there, as I remarked previously," was the response of the
brave young rancher, who was ever ready to risk his life for those whom
he loved.

"It will be an almost hopeless hunt, for father could give me only a
general idea of the course he meant to take, and we are likely to go
miles astray."

"We shall have to depind on Providence to hilp us, though it may be the
folks are in no naad of our assistance."

"I pray that such may be the case," was the fervent response of Warren,
accompanied by a sigh of misgiving. "I think we shall be able to take
care of ourselves, but father is in a bad fix with mother and Dot on his
hands. I hope Plummer has joined them."

"He niver will do the same," remarked Tim gravely.

"Why do you