en I feel as if I was all
giving out, and couldn't go through what was before me. And I feel
abashed when I think I need such a stimulant to fire up my flagging
nature."

Pond made no reply, but rode on thoughtfully at the rapid pace which the
other led, the pack animal keeping close in the rear. At last he asked:

"Who did Miss Neidic expect to meet where we left her?"

"A brave man who loves her dearly, but who has been driven in his
desperation by cruel injustice to do some work which keeps him outside
of towns and settlements for the present. His love is returned by her,
and henceforth she will share his dangers and his hardships."

"None can tell but those who test it, how deeply, how entirely, and how
lasting a true woman loves," said Pond, with a sigh.

"And none but a woman wronged can tell how bitterly she can hate!" said
the other, as he dashed his spurs into his horse and galloped on.

Miles were swiftly passed over, and the gray of dawn was just beginning
to soften night's darkness in the east, when the Texan exclaimed:

"Here we are; now for a rest of one day, at least."

And as he spoke he drew up his horse by the side of a small pool of
water, which trickled out from under the roots of a single large tree.
For an acre or so around it there were bushes growing as high as the
horses, but when light came, no other growth but that of short buffalo
grass and prickly cactus could be seen.

The Texan unsaddled his horse, and unloaded the pack animal before Pond
could get his saddle ungirthed. Then the Texan sprang to his assistance,
finished stripping the horse, and with a long lariat picketed it out in
the best grass. His own horses he turned loose, saying they never would
stray from camp.

Then, taking his rifle, he stepped out from camp, saying he was going
after meat.

In fifteen or twenty minutes, Pond heard the crack of his rifle and in
less than half an hour the young man was back, with the fat saddle of a
young antelope on his shoulder.

"Here is meat enough for to-day and to-morrow," he said. "Next day we
will be on buffalo ground, and we'll have some hump ribs to roast."

Gathering a few dry, light sticks, he soon had a hot and almost
smokeless fire ablaze. On the coals of this he set his coffee-pot,
broiled some meat, and while Mr. Pond looked on in surprise, he quickly
had a nice breakfast of antelope steak, coffee, and a few hard biscuit
which were in the pack.

While Pond took hold