ctions were justified. Before night they saw the Lipans coming
as usual in a close group, now at a distance of about three miles. Ned
could not keep from shuddering. They were as implacable as fate. Night,
the storm and bullets did not stop them. They could not shake them off
in the immense spaces of plain and desert. A kind of horror seized him.
Such tenacity must triumph. Was it possible that Obed and he would fall
victims after all? At least it seemed sure that in the end they would be
overtaken, and Ned began to count the odds in a fight. Anything seemed
better than this interminable flight.

They were cheered a little by the aspect of the country, which began to
change considerably for the better. The cactus reappeared and then a few
trees, lonesome and ragged, but trees, nevertheless. It is wonderful how
much humanity a tree has in a sad and sandy land. The soil grew much
firmer and soon they saw clumps of buffalo grass. Several small groups
of buffalo were also visible.

"There's better country ahead, as you see," said Obed. "Besides, I've
been along this way before. We'll strike water by dark."

They reached a tiny brook just as the twilight came, at which both they
and their horses drank. They also took the time to wash their hands and
faces, but they dared not delay any longer for fear of being overtaken
by the Lipans. The night and the following day passed in the same manner
as the others, and the horses of Ned and Obed, splendid animals though
they were, began to show signs of fatigue. One limped a little. The
dreaded was happening. The Indian ponies made only of bone and muscle
were riding them down.

On the other hand, the character of the country now encouraged the
fugitives. The yucca and the mesquite turned into oak. They passed
through large groves and they hoped that they might soon enter a great
forest in which they could hide their trail wholly from the Lipans. They
crossed two considerable streams, knee deep on the horses, and then they
entered the forest for which they had hoped so much. It was of oaks
without much undergrowth and the ground was hilly. They rode through it
until past midnight. Then they stopped by the edge of a blue pool, and
while the other watched with the rifle each took the bath that he had
coveted so long.

"I feel that I can fight battles and also run better now that I've got
rid of ten pounds of sand and dust," said Obed, "and I guess you feel
the same way, Ned. I supp