as still dark
we caught and watered our horses; and, having cast off their hobbles and
loaded the pack animals, we were in the saddle by sunrise. We rode on
for several hours, and then encamped for breakfast, allowing our horses
to graze while we went on foot in search of game. We succeeded in
killing a couple of deer and a turkey, so that we were again amply
supplied with food. Our baggage-mules being slow but sure-going animals
we were unable to make more than twenty miles a day, though at a pinch
we could accomplish thirty. We had again mounted and were moving
forward. The country was covered with tall grass, five and sometimes
eight feet in height, over which we could scarcely look even when on
horseback. We had ridden about a couple of miles from our last
camping-place, when Story, the tallest of our party, exclaimed--

"I see some objects moving to the northward. They look to me like
mounted men, and are apparently coming in this direction."

He unslung his glass, while we all pulled up and took a look in the
direction he pointed.

"Yes, I thought so," he exclaimed; "they are Indians, though, as there
are not many of them, they are not likely to attack us; but we must be
on our guard, notwithstanding."

We consulted what was best to be done.

"Ride steadily in the direction we are going," said Dick; "and, by
showing that we are not afraid of them, when they see our rifles they
will probably sheer off, whatever may be their present intentions. But
keep together, my lads, and let nothing tempt us to separate."

We followed Dick's advice; indeed, although we had no ostensible leader,
he always took the post on an emergency.

The strangers approached, moving considerably faster than we were doing.
As they drew nearer, Story, who took another view of them through his
glass, announced that there were two white men of the party, thus
dispelling all fears we might have entertained of an encounter. We
therefore pulled up to wait their arrival. As they got still nearer to
us, one of the white men rode forward. He was followed by several dogs.
Suddenly Dick, who had been regarding him attentively, exclaimed--

"What, Harry Armitage, my dear fellow! What has brought you here?"

"A question much easier asked than answered, and I'll put the same to
you," said the stranger, shaking hands.

"I came out for a change of scene, and to get further from the ocean
than I have ever before been in my life; and now