ore they reach
their camping-ground. But to make the next, which is full fifty miles
away, they'll have to start earlier. Ah! what does that mean?"

"What startles you?"

"Nothing _startles_ me, but a couple of men from that party have dashed
out from the line at a gallop, and they ride this way."

"Heaven! I hope Bill--Wild Bill--is not one of them!" cried Pond,
greatly excited. "Are you sure they are coming here?"

"Riding _this way_ does not assume that they're coming _here!"_ said the
Texan, coolly. "They may have flanked off to look for some fresh meat.
Yes, that is it," he added. "They bear up to the north now; they want to
go ahead of the party so as to kill something fresh for supper. Captain
Jack kept sober when all the rest were drinking last night, and I'll
wager he is one of the hunters, and most likely Sam Chichester is the
other. We're safe from observation, Mr. Pond, so don't get nervous.
We'll not see Wild Bill to-day."

Pond smiled, but there was a tremor about him that showed he was easy to
take alarm and hard to get over it.

The Texan came down from the tree and busied himself in gathering some
dry fuel--small sticks which would make a quick hot blaze and little or
no smoke. Then he cut off some long thin flakes of antelope flesh from
the saddle hanging on the tree, and half cooked, half dried it.

"Meat may be a little unhandy to get in the rear of that straggling
band," he said. "If we have a little on hand, it will do no hurt."

"You are thoughtful," said Pond. "I would make a poor manager, I fear,
on the plains. I should forget everything until it was needed."

"You are not too old to learn," said the Texan, laughing.

"Excuse my asking the question, but have you long been acquainted with
that strange and beautiful woman, Addie Neidic?"

"Not very long, myself. But I had a brother who knew her very well, and
loved her almost to madness, She was his true friend, but she did not
love him."

"Is he living now?"

"Living? _No!_ If ever you meet Wild Bill--but no, it is my secret. Ask
me no more about him."

Every word just spoken flew from the Texan's lips like sheets of fire;
his eyes flashed and his face flushed, while his form trembled from head
to foot.

"Forgive me! I did not mean to wound your feelings!" said Pond, moved by
the excitement of the other.

"No matter; I know you didn't. No matter. It will all come right one of
these days. I wish my heart was stone!"

Pond was