g youth, he had
brought a message which was certain to be delivered to the right party
before the next set of sun. But Hank knew the men with whom he was
dealing, and could not feel assured that any ultimate good would result
until nearer the end.

"I wish I knowed whether them imps know anything about that younker;
they don't act as if they did, and yet they may be as deep in the
bus'ness as Motoza."

The last remark suggested a possibility which the cowman shrank from
considering. It was that the Sioux was wholly innocent, and that all the
mischief had been done through unsuspected parties. It has been shown
that other Indians, not yet encountered, were in the vicinity, and it
was not absolutely certain that they were not the criminals. The
thought, however, opened the illimitable fields of speculation, and the
hunter was wise in determining to hold to his original belief until
assured it was an error.

Before he was half-way back to camp the moon appeared above the mountain
peak behind him, and the rugged scenery was lit up by the rays that
streamed on every side. He paused where he could observe the gleam of
his own camp-fire at the mouth of the cavern, while, by turning his
head, he saw the twinkle of the one he had left behind. All between lay
as silent as the tomb.

"I bluffed it pretty heavy," he reflected, "and I guess it'll work with
them bucks; I ain't so sartin of Motoza, fur if he has had anything to
do with the taking off of that younker he's covered up his tracks pretty
well and it'll be hard work to run him down, but _I'll do it_!" he
savagely exclaimed, as he resumed his strides toward his own camp.

As he drew near he caught sight of the unconscious figure of Jack
Dudley, sitting with his back against the rock. The moon revealed him
clearly, and the cowman approached him with noiseless step.

"Poor fellow! he come out here to watch, thinking he couldn't sleep, and
now he's good for nothing till sunup."

Hank leaned over and tenderly adjusted the blanket around the figure of
the handsome youth, as his mother might have done had she been present.
Then passing within the cavern, he lay down and slept until the night
was ended.

The presence of the lad on the outside of the cavern showed that he knew
of the departure of the guide. Hank, therefore, explained his reason for
leaving him, and told him all that had occurred.

"The first thing to do, younker, is to find Motoza; that's what I'm
going