ding
such a paradise inside of gates so dark and rude."

"One who had been here before," said the Texan. "But speak low, for
careless as they may be over there in camp, some one might be outside
listening."

"Why, it is over a mile away, is it not?"

"Yes, along the line of the wood. But over this cliff, were it crossed,
it is not a quarter of that distance."

And the Texan pointed to a rugged tree-crowned cliff on their right.

"I will be careful," said Pond. "My enthusiasm breaks out when I see
beautiful things. I can hardly restrain myself."

"We will unsaddle and camp. Our horses are tired, and need food and
drink," was all that the Texan said.

And he at once unloaded the pack-horse, and unsaddled his mustang.

Pond, becoming more handy, now did the same for Black Hawk, who seemed
to take quite a fancy to his new master, curving his back proudly under
his caressing touch.

"Shall I picket him, as we did at the last camp?" asked Pond, when he
had unsaddled his horse.

"No, let him go with mine. They have been together long enough to mate,
and they'll feed peaceably in company. Mine will never stray or
stampede, and the other will not go off alone."

The simple camp was soon fixed; and as they had cooked meat left, and
biscuit, with plenty of water to drink, both agreed that there was no
necessity to build any fire.

"The smell of smoke might reach some sharp-nosed scout over there," said
the Texan, "for the wind blows that way. We'll eat, and then turn in,
for rest will come good to both of us."

The horses plunged off to the water and drank, and then went to
cropping the luxuriant grass, while their masters ate their suppers
with appetites strengthened by their long and wearying ride.

After they had supped, Willie Pond would, as usual, have enjoyed his
dainty cigarette, had not the Texan warned him that tobacco smoke would
scent farther than any other, and might be more dangerous, in betraying
their presence, than anything else.

So Mr. Pond had to forego his smoke. He took a blanket, and moving up to
a little mossy knoll just under the edge of the cliff, threw himself
down to sleep.

The Texan also took his blanket, but he lay down near the saddles and
packs.

Pond was so very weary that he soon fell asleep. How long he slept he
did not know, but a strange, oppressive dream woke him, and with the
moonlight, shining full in the valley, while he lay shaded beneath a
tree and the overhanging c