ose you've noticed that the other horse has
gone lame, too?"

"Yes, I noticed it. I don't believe either could make much speed
to-morrow."

"They certainly couldn't unless they had a long rest, and here we stay.
There need be no secrets between you and me, Ned, about this pursuit. I
think it's likely that we'll have a fight in the morning, and we might
as well choose our fort."

The horses were panting and both now limped badly. It was quite evident
that they were spent. Beyond the pool was a tiny valley or glade with a
good growth of grass, and, after tying the reins to the pommels of the
saddles, they released the two faithful beasts there. Obed thought once
of tethering them but he reflected that to do so would make them sure
targets of the Indian bullets or arrows. They, too, deserved a chance to
escape.

Then he and Ned looked around for the fort, of which they had spoken,
and they found it beyond the pool in an opening which would have been
called a little prairie in the far north. In the center of this opening
grew a rather thick cluster of trees, and there was some fallen wood. A
rifle bullet would not reach from any point of the forest to the
cluster.

They drew up all the fallen wood they could find, helping to turn the
ring of trees into a kind of fortification, refilled their water bottles
from the pool, and sat down to wait, with their rifles and pistols
ready.

Ned felt a kind of relief, the relief that comes to one who, having
faced the worst so long, now knows that it has been realized. The
terrible chase had gone on for nights and days. Always the Lipans were
behind them. Well, if they were so fond of pursuing, now let them come.
By the aid of the dead wood they were fairly well protected from a fire
in any direction, and the light was sufficient for them to see an enemy
who attempted to cross the open. There was a certain grim pleasure in
the situation.

"They've run us down at last," said Obed, "but they haven't got us yet.
Before you scalp your man just catch him is a proverb that I would
recommend to the Lipans. Now, Ned, suppose we eat a little, and brace
ourselves for the arrival of the pursuit."

They ate with a good appetite and then lay propped on their elbows,
where they could look just over the logs at the circling forest. It was
very quiet. Nothing stirred among the trees. Their eyes, used now to the
half dusk, could see almost as well as if it were daylight. Ned finally
noticed