ilence, and nobody slipped and no stick broke as they crept
into the gully after the sergeant. The cedars and thickets almost met
over the narrow depression, shutting out the moonlight, but every one was
able to discern the man before him creeping forward like a wild animal.
It was easy enough for Dick to imagine himself that famous great
grandfather of his, Paul Cotter reincarnated, and that the days of the
wilderness and the Indian war bands had come back again. He even felt
exultation as he adapted himself so readily to the situation, and became
equal to it. But Warner was grieved and exasperated. It hurt his
dignity to prowl on his knees through the dark.

They advanced about two hundred yards in a diagonal course along the side
of the mountain until they came to a point where the cedars thinned out a
little. Then the sergeant whispered to the others to stop, rose from his
knees, and Dick rose beside him.

"See!" he said, nodding his head in the direction in which he wished Dick
to look.

Dick saw a number of dark figures standing among the trees. Two were in
close conference, evidently trying to decide upon a plan. One, a giant
in size, was Skelly, and the other, little, weazened and wearing an
enormous flap-brimmed hat, could be none but Slade.

"A pretty pair," said Dick, "but I don't like to fire on 'em from ambush."

"Nor do I," said the sergeant, "but we've got to do it, or we won't get
the surprise we need so bad."

But they were saved from firing the first shot as some one in the gully--
they never knew or asked his name--stumbled at last. Slade and Skelly
instantly sprang for the trees and Slade blew sharply upon his whistle.
Twenty shots were fired in the direction of the gully, but they whistled
harmlessly over the heads of its occupants.

It was Dick who gave the command for the return volley, and with a mighty
shouting they swept the woods with their breech-loading rifles. They
were not sure whether they hit anything, but as the gully blazed with
fire they presented all the appearance of a formidable force that might
soon charge.

"Cease firing!" said Dick, presently.

A cloud of smoke rose from the gully, and, as it lifted, they could see
nothing in the woods beyond, but the sergeant announced that for an
instant or two he heard the sound of running feet.

"It means they've gone," said Dick, "and that being the case we'll be off,
too. I fancy we've a great prize in this map. Your