l their canteens with water, and the
animals were all led into the stream to drink their fill, for there was
a long, dry march to the next camping-ground.

Chichester and Captain Jack both knew the route well, for they had both
been over it in one of the first prospecting parties to the "Hills."

CHAPTER XIV.
POND SEIZED WITH TERROR.

Nothing of note occurred in the little camp at the Lone-tree Spring that
first night. Just before sunset the young Texan and Willie Pond took a
gallop of four or five miles to exercise their horses and use themselves
to the saddle, and when they came back with freshened appetites, ate
heartily, and afterward slept soundly.

The next morning both woke with the sun, and after a hearty meal the
pack-horse was loaded, the other animals saddled, and the route taken
for the Hills.

A ride of six or seven miles brought them into the trail of the larger
party, and at noon, or a little before, the Texan halted on the
camping-ground occupied by that party the night before.

The embers of their fires were yet alive, and over them the Texan cooked
dinner for himself and companion.

Pointing to the bones and scraps of meat thrown around, the Texan
laughed, and said:

"They've plenty now, but before they get through they'll be more
careful, for if the Indians are thick, game will be hard to get; and I'm
thinking they'll find Indians before they're three days out."

"You said the Sioux would be friendly to you?"

"Yes; I have a talisman. Did you not see me put this eagle feather,
tipped with crimson, in my hat last night before I rode out?"

"Yes. Is that your talisman?"

"It is. It is from the coronet of a Sioux chief, and was given to me as
a safeguard."

"I wish I had one."

"Keep with me and you will not need it."

"Do not fear that I will go far from you. Alone, I should feel utterly
lost on these prairies. Where will we camp to-night?"

"Very close to the party that is ahead of us. They will go to a creek
and a piece of timber that is fully fifty miles from here. About a mile
from where I think they will camp there is a small ravine, in which we
will find what grass and water we need. It will be near nightfall when
we get there, if we do our best in travel. But if we ride hard, we'll
take the longer rest. I do not care to keep too close to them as a
general thing, but to-night we can't help it."

Their nooning was short, and taking the precaution to water their horses
well,